Time trends and individual characteristics associated with polybrominated diphenyl ethers in breast milk samples 2006-2009 in Lower Saxony, Germany.

Background: Since 2006 polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) concentrations have been analyzed within the scope of the breast milk project conducted by the Governmental Institute of Public Health of Lower Saxony.

Objectives: Temporal trends and regional distributions of the resident population as well as the relevance of individual factors influencing PBDE concentration were to be determined.

Methods: Four PBDE congeners (BDE-47, BDE-153, BDE-99, BDE-100) have been analyzed.

Long-term biomonitoring of polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine pesticides in human milk from mothers living in northern Germany.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides are persistent organic pollutants that have a widespread distribution in the environment. Human biomonitoring is a suitable tool to assess the burden of humans with these substances. Over a time span of 8 years, a free analysis of their milk was offered to lactating mothers residing in the state of Lower Saxony, Germany.