Background: Bio-accumulation of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the environment and in the food chain
can lead to high pollutant concentrations in human fat-containing tissues and breast milk.
Objectives: We aimed to identify the maternal characteristics that determined POP concentrations in breast milk
of primiparous mothers in Belgium.
Methods: Breast milk samples were obtained from a cross-sectional sample of 206 primiparous mothers in 2014.
POP concentrations in breast milk samples were determined by GC-ECNI-MS and GC-EI-MS/MS depending on
the analytes' sensitivity. Associations between POP concentrations in breast milk and potential determinants
were investigated using two-way contingency tables and multivariable generalized linear models.
Results: Fifteen of the 23 screened POPs were detected in the breast milk samples. Four organochlorine compounds
(p,p′-DDT, p,p′-DDE, HCB and β-HCH) and two brominated flame retardant congeners (BDE-47, BDE-
153) were detected at concentrations above the limit of quantification in>50% of the breast milk samples.
Maternal age and BMI were usually associated with higher POP concentrations. Rural residency and consumption
of home-produced eggs, fatty fish and fish oil supplements were associated with higher concentrations
of DDT and DDE. Consumption of fatty fish and being breastfed during childhood were associated with higher
concentrations of HCB and β-HCH. Fish oil supplements and home-produced eggs were associated with higher
concentrations of BDEs, but for BDE congeners exposure routes other than diet require further investigation.
Conclusions: Dietary and non-dietary determinants predict individual POP concentrations in breast milk.
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