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Home > Is This Safe When Breastfeeding? > Chemical Exposure

PBDEs in Breastmilk

Compiled by Kelly Bonyata, IBCLC

There has been a large amount of press about studies that have detected flame retardant chemicals (polybrominated diphenyl ether, or PBDE) in the breastmilk of American and Canadian women. Following are links with more information.

Information on the studies

Northwest Environment Watch - Sept. 2004, additional info added Aug. 2005

New analysis: Toxic flame retardants in Northwest mothers. Study Information from Northwest Environment Watch. August 25, 2005. This is the same 2004 study data as below, they just added information on the amount of PCBs in the samples (and compared PCB and PDBE levels). Abstract of 2005 paper [PDF].

Flame Retardants in the Bodies of Pacific Northwest Residents. Study Information from Northwest Environment Watch. September 2004.

PDF Press Release from Northwest Environment Watch. September 29, 2004.

PDF Report: Flame Retardants in the Bodies of Pacific Northwest Residents. Northwest Environment Watch. September 29, 2004.

Benefits of breastfeeding from Northwest Environment Watch.

PDF Talking points on breastfeeding and PBDEs from Northwest Environment Watch.

 

Health Canada

FACT SHEET - PBDEs (Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers). Health Canada. May 2004.

TSRI # 237 - Impact of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers on Canadian Environment and Health of Canadians. Health Canada Toxic Substances Research Initiative.

FAQ - PBDEs (Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers). Environment Canada.

Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) (PDF version). Screening Assessment Report — Health. Health Canada. February 25, 2004.

 

Northwest Environment Watch - Feb. 2004

Press Release from Northwest Environment Watch. February 24, 2004.

PDF Report: Flame Retardants in Puget Sound Residents from the Washington Toxics Coalition

PDF Why Breastfeeding is Still Best for Baby from the Washington Toxics Coalition

 

University of Texas

Press release from University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. September 19, 2003.

Study: Schecter A, Pavuk M, Papke O, Ryan JJ, Birnbaum L, Rosen R. Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) in U.S. Mothers' Milk. Environ Health Perspect. 2003 Nov;111(14):1723-9.

Mothers' Milk: Record levels of toxic fire retardants found in American mothers' breast milk - news release and detailed report on the study from the Environmental Working Group

 

Responses to concerns about the study findings

Breastfeeding is safe for normal growth and development; not breastfeeding because of environmental pollutants will cause needless harm to infants. INFACT Canada Press release. June 9, 2004.

USBC Statement on Flame Retardant Chemicals in Human Milk United States Breastfeeding Committee. (No date: probably September 2003.)

Contaminants have been found in human milk. Should I wean my baby? FAQ from LLLI. November, 2003.

Flame Retardant Pollutants by Thomas Hale, RPh, PhD. September 23, 2003

Breastfeeding Remains Best Choice in a Polluted World, LLLI Media Release. August 2003.

PDF Flame Retardants: Concern for Mothers, Breastmilk, Infants and the Public from Breastfeeding Matters, Summer 2003, Volume 6, No. 2, published by the Breastfeeding Coalition of Washington

 

More information

Breastfeeding and Environmental Contaminants @

Flame Retardants: A General Introduction, Environmental Health Criteria Series No. 192, World Health Organization, Geneva, 1997. A good overview of the history, use, and dangers of flame retardants.

 

Page last modified: 09/08/2005
Written: 09/24/03

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