Parker Waichman LLP

PFC, Linked to Cancer, Found in Breast Milk

PFCs Found In Milk From Breast Milk. Those chemicals which have long been used to make cookware nonstick and fabrics stain-resistant are not only spreading around the world, but they are showing up in some surprising and disturbing places. Perfluorinated compounds, or PFCs, have shown up in wildlife, drinking water supplies, and human blood; however, a […]

PFC in Breast Milk

PFCs Found In Milk From Breast Milk. Those chemicals which have long been used to make cookware nonstick and fabrics stain-resistant are not only spreading around the world, but they are showing up in some surprising and disturbing places. Perfluorinated compounds, or PFCs, have shown up in wildlife, drinking water supplies, and human blood; however, a team of researchers—including Kathleen Arcaro of the University of Massachusetts Amherst—found PFCs in samples of human milk from nursing mothers in Massachusetts.  PFCs are believed to be carcinogenic.

“Perfluorinated compounds, or PFCs, are found in human blood around the world, including the blood of newborns, but this is the first study in the United States to document their occurrence in human milk,” says Arcaro, a professor in the department of veterinary and animal sciences and a member of the environmental sciences program. “While nursing does not expose infants to a dose that exceeds recommended limits, breast milk should be considered as an additional source of PFCs when determining a child’s total exposure.”  The breast milk was collected as part of a larger, ongoing study Arcaro is conducting that is examining the link between environmental exposures and breast cancer.

PFCs Are Persistent Chemicals

PFCs are persistent chemicals that can linger in the environment and the human body for years without being broken down.   PFCs can be found in food sources such as the grease-resistant packaging in microwave popcorn bags and pizza boxes.  PFCs can also be found in fish and other animals and from personal care products including dental floss and shampoo.
Several studies have documented the presence of PFCs in the blood of newborns collected immediately after birth.  Studies have also documented the presence of PFC in children between the ages of 2 and 12 and have revealed blood levels similar to those found in adults.  It was these studies that led the team to investigate breast feeding as a source of PFCs.  This information will be needed to determine the sources and breadth of exposure in infants and children and if PFCs have an effect on birth outcomes in newborns.

Chemical analyses were conducted in the laboratory of Kuruntachalam Kannan at the New York State Department of Health and results are scheduled for publication in Environmental Science and Technology.  Research was supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.

Milk samples were collected in 2004 from 45 nursing mothers in Massachusetts.  The breast milk was studied for nine different PFCs.  The study revealed that perfluorooctane-sulfonate (PFOS), was found in the highest concentration in breast milk.  PFOS is the chemical used to make stain-resistant fabrics.  PFOS was followed by perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), which is used in nonstick cookware.

Milk from first-time nursing mothers was also studied to determine how PFC concentrations changed over time and it was discovered that total PFC concentrations and the concentration of PFOS increased during the first six months of nursing.  “This may be related to increased food intake to meet the energy demands of nursing and changes in food consumption patterns in nursing mothers,” says Arcaro.  “In a Canadian study, diet was shown to contribute 61 percent of a person’s total daily intake of PFCs.”

Need Legal Help?

The personal injury attorneys at Parker Waichman LLP offer free, no-obligation case evaluations. For more information, fill out our online contact form or call 1-800-YOURLAWYER (1-800-968-7529).

What Our Clients Say About Us
We have worked with thousands of clients and we appreciate them and their positive reviews. Here are just a few recent client reviews...
5 Star Reviews 150
I would like to extend my gratitude to both Julie Trinidad and Marianne Gallizzi. They are part of a great team in Parker Waichman. I appreciate the time and effort you took to answer all of my questions.
Karyna Minchala
5 years ago
5 Star Reviews 150
They got right on my case. Wasted no time and fought/won the decision to continue with my therapy after the insurance company wanted to terminate it. Even the insurance company knew from my medical records that I needed to continue. My nurse Ms. Joanne Stevens is very concerned about my condition and treatment and assured that I would continue. I am very familiar with this law firm. They are like human pitbulls when they latch onto a wrong door. Humph!!! I'm glad they're on my side.
JANICE Peters-Rowe
5 years ago
5 Star Reviews 150
Positive: Professionalism I was pleased with how they handled my case from beginning to end. They were also very good with providing information and returning calls.
Daisy Figueroa
2 years ago

Why Choose Us to Help You?

We Take Care of Everything
Your situation is stressful enough: Let us take on the deadlines, paperwork, investigation, and litigation. We'll handle every detail so you don't have to worry.
No Recovery = No Legal Fees
We work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning that we only get paid from a portion of your settlement or jury award. If you don't get compensation, you owe us nothing.
Decades of Experience
Your situation is stressful enough: Let us take on the deadlines, paperwork, investigation, and litigation. We'll handle every detail so you don't have to worry.
Respected by Our Peers
Judges, insurance adjusters, and fellow attorneys all speak highly of our skills, and we've earned numerous accolades, including a flawless rating from AVVO.
We Have Many Locations To Serve You
We have the experience and the skilled litigators to win your case. Contact us and speak with a real attorney who can help you.
Long Island – Nassau
Parker Waichman LLP
6 Harbor Park Drive
Port Washington, NY 11050
Long Island – Suffolk
Parker Waichman LLP
201 Old Country Road – Suite 145
Melville, NY 11747
New York
Parker Waichman LLP
59 Maiden Lane, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10038
Queens
Parker Waichman LLP
118-35 Queens Boulevard, Suite 400
Forest Hills, NY 11375
Brooklyn
Parker Waichman LLP
300 Cadman Plaza West
One Pierrepont Plaza, 12th Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11201
New Jersey
Parker Waichman LLP
80 Main Street, Suite 265
West Orange, NJ 07052
Florida
Parker Waichman LLP
27299 Riverview Center Boulevard
Suite 108
Bonita Springs, FL 34134
Nationwide Service
Parker Waichman LLP
59 Maiden Lane, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10038