Polychlorinated biphenyls in human milk, UHT cow's milk and infant formulas

The content of polychlorinated biphenyls was determined in human milk collected from four regions of Poland, as well as in cow's milk and infant formulas. Significant statistical differences in PCB levels were determined in human milk depending on the region. The highest PCB mean concentration (0.351 mg(.)kg(-1) milk fat) was determined in human milk from Gdansk. An average of 0.218 mg PCB kg(-1) milk fat was determined in human milk, 6 and 17 times higher than cow's milk and infant formulas, respectively. Higher (37%) content of PCB was found in the milk of women living in rural regions.