I am responding to the question posted regarding chemical testing of breast milk for the mom potentially exposed to industrial chemicals.

When a mother is exposed to chemicals in the workplace or at home, she is likely to absorb and distribute these chemicals to breastmilk to some extent;  however, the resultant chemical levels in breast milk are generally low, and women should be advised about how to reduce exposures that may affect breast milk quality rather than turn to formula-feeding. 

Please see my chapter entitled, " Parents worried about breast milk contamination:  What is best for baby?" in Pediatric Clinics of North America, volume 48, number 5, October 2001, pp 1113-1127. 

In the scenario described in the lactnet post, is there an option for the mother to have a different job which will not expose her to these chemicals?  That, of course, would be best. Barring that, good industrial hygiene practices, adequate ventilation, and taking common sense precautions (close solvent containers, discard soaked rags, use dermal protection, etc.) will reduce potential exposures.

Contact me privately by email or phone if you would like to discuss further.  Judy Schreiber.

Judith S. Schreiber, Ph.D.
Senior Public Health Scientist
Office of the Attorney General
Bureau of Environmental Protection
The Capitol
Albany NY 12224
518-474-4819 desk
518-474-9267 sec
518-473-2534 fax
email [log in to unmask]  

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