Dioxins-Breastmilk Survey

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Dioxins

Ministry of Health's involvement

Serum dioxin study in Paritutu

Organochlorines Technical Advisory Group

Breastmilk survey

Other agencies involved

The toxic effects of dioxin

Toxicology of dioxin

Advice to medical practitioners

Health Support Service

Questions and answers

Dioxins
Breast milk survey

Latest updates

2008
12 May: Breast Milk Study - Investigation of Breast Milk for Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Sixth quarterly progress report (1 Janury 2008 - 31 March 2008)

28 Feb: Breast Milk Study - Investigation of Breast Milk for Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Fifth quarterly progress report (1 Oct - 30 Dec 2007)

2007
23 Nov: Breast Milk Study - Investigation of Breast Milk for Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Fourth quarterly progress report (1 Jul - 30 Sept 2007)

30 Jul: Breast Milk Study - Investigation of Breast Milk for Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Third quarterly progress report (1 Apr 2007- 30 Jun 2007)

24 May: Breast Milk Study - Investigation of Breast Milk for Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)

24 Jan: Breast Milk Survey Update - How does the level of dioxins in the breast milk of New Zealand women compare to other countries?

Breast milk report 2001

The key conclusions of this report, Investigation of Organochlorine Contaminants in the Milk of New Zealand Women were:

the levels of each class of persistent organochlorine contaminant, namely PCDD/DFs, PCBs and pesticides, in the milk of New Zealand women had declined by about 70 percent over the 10-year period 1988–1998

in general, the exposure of New Zealanders to PCDD/DFs, PCBs and organochlorine pesticides is low relative to exposure in most other countries where comparable studies have been carried out
the decreases in concentrations of contaminants in New Zealand breast milk are consistent with declining levels in other countries where similar testing has been carried out
the World Health Organization (WHO) has concluded that on current evidence the benefits of breastfeeding outweigh any risks to infants associated with the presence of low levels of contaminants in human milk.

Page last updated: 12 May 2008