A General Model of Dioxin Contamination in Breast Milk: Results from a Study on 94 Women from the Caserta and Naples Areas in Italy

Abstract

Background: The Caserta and Naples areas in Campania Region experience heavy environmental contamination due to illegal waste disposal and burns, thus representing a valuable setting to develop a general model of human contamination with dioxins (PCDDs-PCDFs) and dioxin-like-PCBs (dl-PCBs). Methods: 94 breastfeeding women (aged 19–32 years; mean age 27.9 ± 3.0) were recruited to determine concentrations of PCDDs-PCDFs and dl-PCBs in their milk. Individual milk samples were collected and analyzed according to standard international procedures. A generalized linear model was used to test potential predictors of pollutant concentration in breast milk: age, exposure to waste fires, cigarette smoking, diet, and residence in high/low risk area (defined at high/low environmental pressure by a specific 2007 WHO report). A Structural Equation Model (SEM) analysis was carried out by taking into account PCDDs-PCDFs and dl-PCBs as endogenous variables and age, waste fires, risk area and smoking as exogenous variables. Results: All milk samples were contaminated by PCDDs-PCDFs (8.6 pg WHO-TEQ/98g fat ± 2.7; range 3.8–19) and dl-PCBs (8.0 pg WHO-TEQ/98g fat ± 3.7; range 2.5–24), with their concentrations being associated with age and exposure to waste fires (p < 0.01). Exposure to fires resulted in larger increases of dioxins concentrations in people living in low risk areas than those from high risk areas (p < 0.01). Conclusions: A diffuse human exposure to persistent organic pollutants was observed in the Caserta and Naples areas. Dioxins concentration in women living in areas classified at low environmental pressure in 2007 WHO report was significantly influenced by exposure to burns.

Blood screening for heavy metals and organic pollutants in cancer patients exposed to toxic waste in southern Italy: A pilot study

“…In recent decades, different studies have focused on the potential impact of illegal waste disposal on human health in the so-called "land of fires" in Campania (Altavista et al, 2004;Cembalo et al, 2019;Mazza et al, 2018Mazza et al, , 2015Pirastu et al, 2013;Rivezzi et al, 2013;Senior & Mazza, 2004;Zona et al, 2019).…”

“…In Italy, a dramatic example of this situation is represented by several municipalities of the provinces of Naples and Caserta, in the Campania region. Illegal dumping and burning of waste in this region have caused an immense environmental damage, which might have affected the local population's health (Altavista et al, 2004;Cembalo et al, 2019;Mazza et al, 2018;Mazza, Piscitelli, Neglia, Della Rosa, & Iannuzzi, 2015;Pirastu et al, 2013;Rivezzi et al, 2013;Senior & Mazza, 2004;Zona et al, 2019). These areas have been referred to as the "land of fires," owing to the common practice of waste burning (Mazza et al, 2018).…”

Environmental Pollution from Illegal Waste Disposal and Health Effects: A Review on the “Triangle of Death”

“…Six studies investigated the link between waste-related pollution and biomarkers assessment in humans. Two studies identified high dioxin levels in breast milk of 94 primiparae living in Naples and Caserta provinces, and detected a positive correlation with age of sampled women, illegal waste fires and environmental dioxin risk index (EDR), that is an index based on dioxins concentrations in buffalo milk samples [ 33 , 34 ]. Illegal waste fires appeared to be a more important determinant of dioxin exposure in milk for women living in an area at low risk compared to high risk areas.…”

Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Activation in Acne Vulgaris Skin: A Case Series from the Region of Naples, Italy

“…In this context we have explored the expression of CYP1A1 in the acne lesions of 16 patients living in the region of Naples, Italy, where different epidemiological studies suggest an environmental contamination by dioxins [16,17,18,19,20]. …”