Postnatal transfer of PCBs from exposed mothers to their babies: Influence of breast-feeding

Yakushiji, T; Watanabe, I; Kuwabara, K; Tanaka, R; Kashimoto, T; Kunita, N; Hara, I

HERO ID

202608

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

1984

Language

English

PMID

6439130

HERO ID 202608
In Press No
Year 1984
Title Postnatal transfer of PCBs from exposed mothers to their babies: Influence of breast-feeding
Authors Yakushiji, T; Watanabe, I; Kuwabara, K; Tanaka, R; Kashimoto, T; Kunita, N; Hara, I
Journal Archives of Environmental Health
Volume 39
Issue 5
Page Numbers 368-375
Abstract Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) concentrations in the blood of mothers who were occupationally exposed to PCBs in a capacitor manufacturing facility, and their children, were analyzed from 1975 to 1979. The factory terminated PCB use in 1972, and environmental PCBs were eliminated artificially. Despite this, blood PCB levels of the mothers were very high, i.e., 10-100 times higher than that of non-occupationally exposed persons. In a previous report, we discussed the relationship between breast-feeding and PCB levels in the blood. This relationship is confirmed further by the present investigation which continued during a 5-yr period. The PCB levels in blood of children were influenced greatly by the duration of breast-feeding, but showed little relationship to the PCB levels in maternal blood. The PCB exposure period of the mothers, time of birth, and age of the children were less clearly related to the PCB levels in the children. The PCB concentration in the children's blood decreased at a constant rate and was independent of their blood PCB levels. A similar result was noted for their mothers' PCB levels. A slight difference, however, was found in the rate of decrease of blood PCB levels between the mothers and children. The results of questionnaire research on the health conditions and the medical examinations for the children showed that frequency of complaints, e.g., red eye, fever, itchy skin, and carious teeth, related favorably to the duration of breast-feeding. Less severe findings, i.e., decay of nails, pigmentation, mottled enamel, carious teeth, which were typical symptoms in yusho patients, were observed in some children. They were not, however, diagnosed as having PCB poisoning inasmuch as medical treatments were unnecessary.
Doi 10.1080/00039896.1984.10545866
Pmid 6439130
Wosid WOS:A1984TX52700009
Url http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00039896.1984.10545866?journalCode=vzeh20#preview
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Comments N1-Sep-OctAN-6439130N1-Yakushiji, TWatanabe, IKuwabara, KTanaka, RKashimoto, TKunita, NHara, IUnited statesArchives of environmental healthArch Environ Health. 1984 Sep-Oct;39(5):368-75.N1-engID-699
Is Public Yes
Language Text English
Keyword *Breast Feeding; Child, Preschool; Environmental Exposure; Female; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Male; Polychlorinated Biphenyls/blood/*metabolism; Pregnancy
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