Study finds toxin in breast milk of 40 Northwest women tested

By The Associated Press

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A study by a Seattle-based environmental group found traces of a toxic flame retardant in the breast milk of 40 women tested in the Northwest.

The results, released yesterday, follow a series of studies last year that indicated American women have the world's highest levels of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), nearing levels that have been shown to damage learning, memory and behavior in laboratory mice.

The chemical was found in all 40 women from Oregon, Washington, Montana and British Columbia who were tested by the Northwest Environmental Watch.

Despite the results, Clark Williams-Derry, research director for Northwest Environmental Watch, said breast-feeding is still the best thing new mothers can do for their infants, and can reduce children's risk of illness, among other advantages.

Researchers aren't certain how women absorb PBDEs, a persistent organic pollutant that can remain in the environment for years without breaking down. But researchers have called for more-detailed investigations and further bans on the compound.

PBDEs have been used in U.S. plastics for about 30 years.

California last summer became the first state to ban two forms of the fire-retardant compound. The European Union also has banned a third form of the chemical, which isn't as readily absorbed by the body.

The median concentration found in the Northwest study was 50 parts per billion, with individual levels ranging from 6 to 321 parts per billion. The lowest levels were found in women from British Columbia, while the highest levels were found in Oregon women. That compares with a median 1.3 parts per billion found in Japanese blood samples in 2000 and a median 2.1 parts per billion found in Swedish breast milk in 2001.

Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company

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