Letter Health Consultation: PCB in Breast Milk at Portland Harbor, Portland, Oregon, January 14, 2009.

摘要

The April 2004 Progranunatic Work Plan for the Portland Harbor Site did not include a breast feeding exposure scenario. However, the work plan stated that 'Within the consurIlption fisher receptors, pregnant and nursing women are a subgroup of potential concern due to potential exposures to fetuses and nursing infants and will be discussed further with EPA and its partners.' In the December 5, 2005 Identification of Round 3 Data Gaps Memo, EPA identified a number of refinements that were necessary to complete the human health risk assessment including an assessment of persistent, bioaccumlative, toxic chemicals (PBTs) in breast milk. EPA noted that further discussion between EPA and its partners was required to determine which methods and exposure assumptions will be proposed to estimate exposures and to characterize the risks from this pathway. In EPA's January 15, 2008 comments on the Comprehensive Round 2 Site Summary and Data Gaps Report, EPA reiterated that the breast feeding exposure scenario should be included in the baseline risk assessment and further discussion was necessary. Toward that end, EPA requested assistance from the Environmental Health Assessment Program (EHAP, formerly SHINE) to develop recommendations on how to address the health risks for infants exposed to PCBs in breast milk in the context of the many health benefits of breast feeding. A summary of this important exposure pathway and a series of recommendations are presented below.