The investigation of breast milk for persistent organic pollutants

The aims of this project are:

1. To obtain data on current levels of POPs in human breast milk in New Zealand;
2. To compare these levels with previous levels and detect trends in POPs exposure;
3. To measure for the first time polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDE) in breast milk in New Zealand;
4. To use the collected New Zealand breast milk samples for inclusion in the fourth round of the WHO-coordinated study of human milk for POPs, thus providing an international comparison for levels of POPs;
5. To study the determinants of elevated levels of POPs in breast milk in New Zealand;
6. To provide recommendations for prioritising POPs for remedial action in New Zealand.

RELATED PUBLICATIONS:

't Mannetje A, Douwes J, Duckett H, Brogan S, Emmerton L, Harding E, Brooks C, Harrad S, Ellison-Loschmann L, Smith A, Pearce N. Concentrations of persistent organic pollutants in the milk of New Zealand women. Report prepared as part of a Ministry of Health contract for scientific services. CPHR Technical Report No. 32. Wellington: CPHR, 2010. 

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Coakley J, Harrad S, Goosey E, Ali N, Dirtu A, Van den Eede N, Covaci A, Douwes J, 't Mannetje A. Concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in matched samples of indoor dust and breast milk in New Zealand. Environment International. 2013; 59: 255-261.
doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2013.06.020.

 't Mannetje A, Coakley J, Bridgen P, Brooks C, Harrad S, Smith A, Pearce N, Douwes J. Current concentrations, temporal trends and determinants of persistent organic pollutants in breast milk of New Zealand women.Sci Total Environ, 2013; 458-460: 399-407.
doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.04.055.

RELATED PUBLICATIONS

't Mannetje A, Coakley J, Mueller J, Harden F, Toms L, Douwes J. Partitioning of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) between human serum and breast milk: a literature review. Chemosphere, 2012; 89(8): 911-8.
't Mannetje A, Coakley J, Bridgen P, Smith A, Read D, Pearce N, Douwes J. Estimated infant intake of persistent organic pollutants through breast milk in New Zealand. NZ Med J, 2014; 127(1401): 56-68.