Evidence for the presence of mutagenic arylamines in human breast milk and DNA adducts in exfoliated breast ductal epithelial cells.

Aromatic and heterocyclic amines are ubiquitous environmental mutagens present in combustion emissions, fried meats, and tobacco smoke, and are suspect human mammary carcinogens. To determine the presence of arylamines in breast tissue and fluid, we examined exfoliated breast ductal epithelial cells for DNA adducts and matched human milk samples for mutagenicity. Breast milk was obtained from 50 women who were 4-6 weeks postpartum, and exfoliated epithelial-cell DNA was evaluated for bulky, nonpolar DNA adducts by (32)P-postlabeling and thin-layer chromatography.