Living on Earth (LOE) is an environmental news and information program distributed by Public Radio International. Each week approximately 300 public radio stations broadcast news, features, interviews and commentary provided by LOE.

In 1996, Living on Earth, under the direction of Steve Curwood, aired a story titled, Mothers’ Milk: A Modern Dilemma. The story was reported by Andrea DeLeon, then of Maine Public Broadcasting, who had recently given birth to her second child. Her report won a Science Journalism Award from the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Mother’s Milk: A Modern Dilemma chronicles DeLeon’s efforts to determine whether her milk “contained chemical time bombs.” DeLeon interviewed, among others, Dr. Linda Birmbaum, head of the Environmental Toxicology Division at the Environmental Protections Agency’s Health Effects Research Laboratory.

Dr. Birnbaum cited a study underway in the Netherlands that showed that breastfed children born to mothers with high levels of contamination are healthier than formula fed infants whose mothers have similar levels of persistent toxins.

DeLeon concluded her story stating, “I’m still breastfeeding, despite all that I’ve learned about contamination because I believe it’s the best thing I can do for my baby.”

Now 11 years later, in recognition of Earth month, Steve Curwood of LOE decided to re-air this award winning report and interview one of the principal scientists to see if any changes have taken place.

According to Dr. Birnbaum, the level of contaminants (dioxin and PCB’s) that were a concern in the past appear to be decreasing, while other contaminants (PBDE’s) appear to be increasing.

“Is there any good news in this story?” asks Curwood.

“I think knowledge is power and the more information we have about what contaminants are present in our breastmilk, it gives us the ability to talk about what we have to control and what we have to reduce,” says Birnbaum.

“One thing that hasn’t changed is that most scientists agree that despite the health concerns, mothers’ milk remains the best food for babies,” says Curwood.

For more information on environmental contaminants and human milk check out the September 2003 and March 2005 issues of Feeding Times.