Heather said: There has been a clear underlying recognition (I think) that while of course breast milk should be as safe as possible, we should be aware that cows milk formula and the water used to make it up may have toxins in....though this has not always been spelt out. Things to remeber: this is, I understand, a 'desktop review' of previously existing research -- not a new study. Also, the point is that every human in the world is full of toxins. We can measure these because women shed their toxic load through the placenta while pregnant and during breastfeeding -- especially during the first pregnancy/bf. To measure milk is a good way to measure the general level for all of us. (Cos milk is easy to get out and also cos it is fatty and some of these chemicals are fat-soluable.). Lawrence (5th e) talks about measuring milk or plasma to determine levels of toxins. The headline writers take the news that we are basically polluting the world and ourselves and make the most sensationalist headlines they can. Hence 'breast milk poison alert' (which was The Express, not the Daily Mail, as I earlier said). Thus, society, which should feel shame for the mess it is in, has conveniently found a discrete group to point the finger at -- 'look at them, they are at risk, its a mumsy-baby thing, we don't need to worry'. sigh. Magda Sachs Breastfeeding Supporter, BfN, UK *********************************************** The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html