Detection of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Human Breast Milk

Abstract

Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons can result from numerous sources including dietary as well as environmental. Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons has been well-established through combustion sources, particularly coal-fired power plants, automobile and diesel exhaust emissions, and the burning of fossil fuels. In addition, exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons occurs through the intake of tobacco smoke, both mainstream and sidestream, and this exposure potentially represents one of the highest concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons to which we can be exposed. The plethora of chemicals found in tobacco presents considerable problems when trying to assess biological exposures to single or multiple compounds since the interactions of each of the chemicals with each other may deter the detection of the previous compound. In addition other materials found in tobacco may mask selective detection of certain compounds thereby minimizing their quantitative and qualitative analysis in biological products exposed to tobacco.

Previous studies from our laboratory have focused on the detection and characterization of biological markers to aromatic hydrocarbons, particularly in the application of protein biomarkers. In addition, our research has focused on the characterization of biomarkers of tobacco related products during specific time frames of pregnancy ranging from early first trimester pregnancies to third trimester and delivery samples. In the present series of investigations, we investigated the application and utilization of breast milk as a biological marker of postdelivery exposure of neonates to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.