摘要：Polychlorinated dibenzo- p -dioxins (PCDDs) and dibenzofurans (PCDFs) are widespread environmental pollutants which can induce various toxic responses including carcinogenesis, immunotoxicity, neurotoxicity and adverse effects on reproduction and development. Some polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are also known as dioxin-like coplanar PCBs, which are aryl hydrocarbon (Ah) receptor agonists and elicit biochemical and toxicological responses in humans and laboratory animals similar to those caused by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo- p -dioxin (TCDD). These chemicals are collectively referred to in Japan as dioxins. Concern over dioxin levels in human milk has grown especially due to the link with the health of breast-fed infants and has led to the conduct of human milk monitoring programs in a number of countries including Japan. In Osaka City, the first survey of dioxin concentrations in human milk was carried out during the period from June 1999 to January 2002. In addition to reporting the results of the survey, the present paper reviews data on: 1) dioxins in human milk in Japan and other countries; 2) the relationship between dioxin levels in human milk and the personal history and living environment of the mother; 3) the relationship between TEQ levels in human milk where such levels are considered environmental or background levels and effects on children’s health as observed in a number of epidermal studies.
