Breast milk samples were collected and analysed within a comprehensive
programme co-ordinated by WHO EURO to evaluate the possible health ri
sk for breast-fed infants in chosen localities of European countries (
'exposed' and 'control' ones). The samples of breast milk were collect
ed, stored transported and analysed by a standardised study protocol t
o assure the comparability of the results from different areas (of 19
European countries). The study included three categories of chemicals:
polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs)/polychlorinated dibenzofura
ns (PCDFs), dioxine like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and other PC
Bs. The results obtained confirmed the correct choice of 'exposed' and
'control' regions in the Czech Republic as a suitable tool used to id
entify certain geographical areas with relatively high exposure levels
for further risk management actions and possible follow-up epidemiolo
gical studies. The results obtained have shown high levels of PCBs in
exposed region but not in the dioxine-like fraction, that ranged withi
n a lower rank of a relevant European data. PCDs/PCDFs levels ranged i
n the same lower rank of values in comparison with e.g. Benelux countr
ies. The data of this study does not confirm ideas about wide spread e
xcessive exposure of central European population to polyhalogenated hy
drocarbons via excessive contamination of a local food basket. (C) 199
8 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.