Phthalates in breast milk

Abstract

Breast milk collected from the 10th day through the 5th month after delivery was analyzed for DEHP (di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate) and DBP (di-butyl phthalate) content. Dibutyl phthalate concentrations ranged from 5.17 μg/L to 2.81 μg/L, and di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate was not detected in breast milk. Statistical analysis showed that the time factor influenced phthalate levels in breast milk, with a gradual decrease observed. The expected trend of increasing phthalate levels with the duration of breastfee-ding was not statistically confirmed. In none of the monthly milk samples did phthalate intake exceed the tolerable daily intake (TDI) for infants. The estimated daily intake of dibutyl phthalate for infants ranged from 0.848 μg/kg to 0.355 μg/kg of body weight. The tolerable daily intake for DBP is set at 10 μg/kg of body weight per day and for DEHP at 50 μg/kg of body weight per day.