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Human biomonitoring study

The human biomonitoring study

The aim of this project is to assess the levels of human exposure to certain chemicals in Ireland and to compare to the levels of exposure to those in previous studies and to levels in other European countries. The health effects of the trace chemicals will not be studied in this project.

In ELEVATE, 110 first time mothers will be recruited by a midwife in the two ELEVATE collaborating hospitals; Coombe Women’s & Infants University Hospital, Dublin and University Hospital Galway, 50 ml samples of breastmilk will be collected from each participating mother. These samples will then be analysed for specific persistent organic pollutants (POPs) at a specialist laboratory at the University of Birmingham.

Should I be worried about breastfeeding?

What are the chemicals being assessed in ELEVATE?

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) represent a group of chemicals that do not degrade easily and as a result can accumulate and persist for long periods of time not only in the environment but also in several fat-containing foods. Human breast milk contains fat and consequently the amountsof POPs present in the body can be estimated via breast milk. The POPs of interest to the ELEVATE project are Brominated flame retardants (BFRs), Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).

Brominated flame retardants (BFRs)

The specific BFRs of interest to ELEVATE are hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). HBCDD has been used as a flame retardant in expanded and extruded polystyrene which is used in building insulation foam. PBDEs were used in the production of electrical and electronic equipment such as TVs, and PCs and in the manufacture of soft furnishings such as mattresses, curtains and sofas.

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS).

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and related chemicals have been used to impart stain and dirt repellence in carpets, paper and packaging, and to provide water repellence in clothing, they were also used in firefighting foams.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)

PCBs are industrial chemicals that were produced for use in electronic appliances, heat-transfer systems and hydraulic fluids, but are also present in building materials, lubricants, coatings, plasticisers and inks. Whilst the manufacture and distribution of PCBs has been prohibited in almost all industrial countries since the late 1980s, they still can be released into the environment from poorly maintained hazardous waste sites, illegal or improper dumping.

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs)

PCDD/Fs are unwanted contaminants almost exclusively produced by industrial and combustion processes such as in the chlorine bleaching of paper and pulp, the manufacture of some agro-chemicals and in particular as by-product of the chlor-alkali process or chlorophenol production. Natural processes such as forest fires and volcanoes can also lead to the formation of dioxins.

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