Dioxins are chlorinated hydrocarbons that are the byproducts of a number of
combustion processes such as the incineration of chlorinated materials, as
well as the manufacture of certain chlorinated chemicals and the chlorine
bleaching of pulp and paper (e.g., tampons and coffee filters). Dioxin
compounds enter the atmosphere as smoke particles, fall in rain where they
pollute the soil, lakes and rivers--*then* they get into our food chain.
Dioxin collects in fatty tissues and can be found particularly in fish, meat
and dairy products. Yes--dioxin is a potential contaminent of human milk.
Those of us in North America are exposed daily to dioxins and related
compounds such as PCBs and furans. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(in 1994 study) concluded that adverse health reactions occur when people
are exposed to three times the "normal" levels--and today's normal is
waaaaay higher than what was considered normal in the past. Studies in
animal populations, and in areas where humans have had unusual exposure
(ever heard of Agent Orange??) show dramatic increases in cancers. A list of
other miserable health effects are suspected, as well.

This is an area where I think each of us needs to learn the facts and do
what we can to help reduce pollution. On the other hand, I have tried to
keep up with the reading and I can't find any justification for not
breastfeeding--except where a woman has had *unusual* exposure to dioxins.
One of my colleagues specializes in environmental hazards and we
argue about this issue frequently--so far, due to available
information, I have won ;-)

Testing is possible, and I understand that current methods are reliable.
Certainly we should be concerned about dioxin in the entire food chain--not
only in human milk. It has been suggested that human milk may be a
protectant in this increasingly contaminated environment.

I think this is a field ripe for thoughtful investigation.

Margery Wilson, IBCLC
Cambridge, Massachusetts
USA