Pamela,
Your thinking is correct. Cows and other animals (including a recent study
showing whales in Puget Sound (WA)) have chemicals/toxins in their bodies.
Many of chemicals BIO-ACCUMULATE up the food chain. Babies (in utero and
breastfed) are at the TOP of the food chain and during these stages of
development are MOST sensitive to harmful chemicals (more sensitive than
cows, and adults).

We have experienced angry feedback from Lactnet readers both via Lactnet
and via personal email. When very bright professionals respond with anger
and accusation, we know there is confusion about the subject and the work
we are doing to educate the public needs to continue.

Studies in animals have shown serious health effects of PBDE's (flame
retardants) even at low exposure levels. These animals suffer progressive
memory impairment and behavioral problems. Similar effects from PCB's have
been found in both animals and humans. (PCB's are similar in structure to
PBDE's and were banned in the 1970's).  We were recently accused of
referring to THEORETICAL risks of toxins in breastmilk. I’d like to clarify
that we are following the PRECAUTIONARY PRINCIPLE, which in summary, states
that where there is some evidence of serious harm final definitive proof
should not be necessary before action is take to protect human health.
Precaution is especially important when the health of children is
threatened. Children are especially vulnerable to health threats from
environmental hazards.

Scientists have found that levels of PBDE's in American mothers' breastmilk
are 20 to 40 times higher than in Japan and Europe. Studying breastmilk
does not mean that there is greater risk to babies from breastfeeding.
Scientists study breastmilk as a way to measure chemicals in all people for
a number of reasons.

We are currently developing a brochure aimed at educating the public
(specifically low literacy mothers) about harmful chemicals AND about the
protective factors of breastfeeding. We state in our brochure that in
breastfed infants, 96% of exposure to PBDE's is from other sources besides
breastmilk. Babies are exposed to harmful chemicals whether or not they
breastfeed. We also state that current research suggests that breastfeeding
leads to very little extra exposure but has many health benefits.

We say more in the brochure, including how to decrease one's risk to many
harmful chemicals. The brochure and other information about chemicals and
important reasons to breastfeed will be available via our website in the
fall. The brochure will be in English and Spanish and written at a low
literacy level. I will post on Lactnet when this is available however,
given all the response my recent posts have generated, if readers would
like to be notified personally when the materials are available, please
email me directly.

Pamela, thanks for your post and for thinking out-loud. It gave me the
opportunity to provide more information.

Kimberly Radtke, Program Coordinator
Breastfeeding Coalition of Washington
206.281.8032
[log in to unmask]
www.hmhbwa.org

Date:    Wed, 18 May 2005 09:24:29 -0500
From:    Price Pamela B <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Toxiins in Cow's milk

This is me, thinking out loud, so I apologise if this has already been =
addressed, I just couldn't find it... But...=20
 =20
If people are ingesting toxins from the environment, and household =
cleaners, then aren't cows ingesting those same toxins?  Or even worse?  =
For instance, I don't as a rule, eat hay, oats and grass, but I have =
seen many a crop duster spray fields with chemicals. Even the safest of =
those chemicals is toxic to something, otherwise what is it's purpose. =
Many pastures are near gas stations where high levels of lead enter the =
soil. And for those milk cows that never leave the stalls, what about =
the cleaners that are used in their stall or feeding trough. And the =
toxins that are used to clean and sterilize the machines. Or even the =
machines themselves, what kind of metal is used, and how much regulation =
is there to ensure that a non-toxic chemical is used for each and every =
part?  Even the organic fed cows are coming in contact with chemicals =
somehow, if we are, then they must be also. In the US we eat a lot of =
beef (as a nation, not necessarily individuals) and since many of the =
toxins we carry are from the foods we eat then it stands to reason that =
many of the chemicals are coming from the meat we eat also.=20
  Even though there is processing done to the cow's milk, are all =
chemicals taken out? What about the processing that goes into the =
chemicals they put in. And what affect on the cow's health are these =
chemicals. Are cows now living longer and healthier lives?=20


I believe it is important to have research regarding toxins. That is how =
we find ways to reduce our exposure and how we discover the risks that =
chemicals pose to life. I know it is unrealistic to hope, but it would =
be great if studies that are released to the public took into =
consideration all aspects of how this will affect peoples lives and =
their decisions. If the news articles and reports said "Toxic chemicals =
found in cow's milk and human milk... toxic chemicals used in soy been =
crops..."  well something like that, it would not affect any ONE group =
of mothers (the breastfeeding moms) but instead would have people as a =
whole looking at what is getting to our babies. And mother's milk would =
not be seen as the toxic bad guy (or girl rather). =20

Pam Price IBCLC, RLC, LPN
Charleston SC, USA
(843) 797-4554

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