Dioxin is the most toxic substance known to humanity. There is a scale of toxicity and dioxin is last on the list. Off hand I can't recall teh details, and since I am no longer working in the area can't chase up the references. I will if no-one else comes up with them. Even small amounts of dioxin can cause sublethal effects. UNfortunately even Antarctica is contaminated with small amounts of dioxin. ABM is screened to keep its levels low, but there is no guarantee that a third world infant won't get product deemed unsuitable for the western world. See Gabrielle Palmer's references to when this has happened in the recent past. I would say that localised studies do need to be done to determine the incidence of dioxin and other organochlorides in any environment. A study was done here (in Vic) 90/91 which found that the levels of a range of organochloride pesticides were low, and that there was no indication that harmful effects would occur. They (as does WHO) reccomend breastfeeding on the basis of its benefits. This study is reported in the NMAA Newsletter vol 28no 7, Nov/Dec 1992 where it also says: more info can be obtained from Dr Malcolm Sim, Dept of Social and Prev Medicine, Monash Univ, Ashley Ricketson Ctre, Caulfield General Medical Centre, 260-294 Kooyong Rd Caulfield Vic 3162 Australia. Surely if the food is sooo contaminated that the mother shouldn't breastfeed - the whole family, whole community even should get out and *massive* work should be done on its restoration? Why risk a baby's health on the longer term? Surely once weaning starts, it, too, wiil be exposed? Narelle ---------------------------------------------------------------- Narelle Clark [log in to unmask] Data Network Administrator, ITD ph: +612 330 2030 University of Technology, Sydney fax: +612 330 1994 PO Box 123 Broadway 2007 NETWORK OUTAGES ph: 330 2116 NSW AUSTRALIA from July 1 prefix changes to 9514 ----------------------------------------------------------------