Levels of Dioxins and Dibenzofurans in Breast Milk of Women Residing in Proximity to Industrial Sites in the Area of Taranto (Southern Italy)

This paper describes a preliminary study on levels of dioxins and dibenzofuran in breast milk samples of nursing women that are resident near or in the municipality of Taranto to guide the development of environmental policy on the control of their production and emissions. Between 2008 and 2009, 15 breast’s milk samples were collected from primiparous women living in the Taranto’s gulf area, southern Apulia (Italy). Our results showed a large contamination of sample high levels for congeners 2,3,7,8-TCDD; 2,3,7,8- PeCDF; 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDD and OCDD. Levels of PCDD/Fs in breast milk samples from mothers living in or close to an industrial area of Taranto (Italy) are like the range of concentrations reported for most industrialized European countries. This kind of contamination is important non only for the human health but also for the huge social, economic and political impact