PCDD/F concentrations in milk of nonoccupationally exposed women living in southern Catalonia, Spain

Concentrations of 17 toxic 2,3,7,8-substituted polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) have been determined in pooled samples of breast milk from 15 mothers living in two residential areas (Tarragona downtown and an industrial area) in the vicinity of a new hazardous waste incinerator (HWI), now under construction in Tarragona (southern Catalonia, Spain). PCDD/Fs in human milk samples ranged between 5.9 and 17.1 pg I-TEQ/g fat (162-498 pg I-TEQ/l), with a mean value of 11.8 pg I-TEQ/g fat (310.8 pg I-TEQ/l). The percentages of fat ranged between 1.53 and 3.52. Although PCDD/F levels in milk from mothers living in the industrial area were found to be slightly higher than those observed in women living Tarragona downtown, most differences did not reach the level of statistical significance. In general terms, PCDD/F concentrations in human milk (pooled) samples of mothers living in the area of Tarragona are similar or lower than those previously reported for most industrialized countries.