Increase of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls in human milk from China in 2007–2011

A national survey was conducted to determine polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenofurans (PCDD/Fs) and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl-PCBs) in human milk samples collected from 16 provinces in China to assess current exposure and temporal trends in China. The arithmetic mean concentration of total TEQ (PCDD/Fs and dl-PCBs) in 2011 is 6.7 pg TEQ g−1 lipid with a range of 2.9–15.4 pg TEQ g−1 lipid in 2011. Levels have been compared to data obtained during a previous national study conducted in 2007. The mean of PCDD/Fs has increased about 32.6% and 99.9% for total TEQ concentration (3.7 pg TEQ g−1 lipid in 2007 vs 4.9 pg TEQ g−1 lipid in 2011) and mass concentration (66.7 pg g−1 lipid in 2007 vs 133.3 pg g−1 lipid in 2011) during the period of 2007–2011, respectively. Continuous surveillance on PCDD/Fs and dl-PCBs in human milk is critical to evaluate the human health effect and environment impact in China.