Dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs in human milk from Germany - time trends and changes by using WHO-TEFS from 2005

Due to a variety of measures and regulations being in force in Germany for 20 years to reducedioxin emissions, the dioxin levels in human milk and in blood samples decreased considerably1,2,3,4. A similar decline was observed in other European countries 5. This distinct decrease of thebackground body burden corresponds to a similar decrease of dioxin concentrations in food ofanimal origin, which was reflected by the dietary dioxin intake 1. At present, the time trend isdecelerated and questionable 6, 7, 8. The aggregation of data from several Federal States ofGermany shall provide the basis for a better understanding of the time course, including theactual situation of levels in human milk.In 2005, WHO introduced revised TEFs for PCDDs/Fs and dioxin-like PCBs (dl-PCBs) 9. Theinfluence of