Polychlorinated biphenyls in human milk from Slovak mothers

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were analyzed in 67 breast milk samples of primiparae, from six districts of the Slovak Republic. Dietary habits, dem ographic and other relevant data on mothers and their children were collect ed by self-administered questionnaires. The highest levels (mean = 1318 ng. g(lipid basis)(-1), n = 12) of PCBs were found in the Michalovce district w here these chemicals were produced. They were statistically significantly h igher than levels in other districts (P = 8.8 E-6). The mean PCB; daily int ake of breast-fed infants was assessed to be 5.5 mug.kg(b.w.)(-1)d(-1) (S.D . = 3.1).