| ECOLOGY |
High perchlorate in breast milk Breast milk of U.S. nursing mothers holds unexpectedly high levels of perchlorate, researchers at Texas Tech University report. The contaminant, a component of solid rocket fuel, has been detected in U.S. drinking water and some foods. It competitively inhibits the transport of iodide, which is important for neural development. The scientists looked at perchlorate levels in cow's milk and human milk from states across the U.S. Concentrations in breast milk averaged five times higher than those in dairy milk, says lead author Purnendu K. Dasgupta (Environ. Sci. Technol., published online Feb. 22, http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/es048118t). The authors estimate that breast-fed babies of the sampled mothers drink more than two times the safe dose adopted by EPA on Feb. 18 (C&EN, Feb. 28, page 14). Dasgupta adds that, while perchlorate levels in breast milk are high, iodide levels in breast milk are about one-third what they were 30 years ago. Because perchlorate mainly affects iodide transport, it's the combination of iodide and perchlorate levels that is most meaningful, he says. |
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