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The first detection of quaternary ammonium compounds in breast milk: Implications for early-life exposure.
Zheng, Guomao; Schreder, Erika; Sathyanarayana, Sheela; Salamova, Amina.
  • Zheng G; School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
  • Schreder E; Toxic-Free Future, Seattle, WA, 98103, USA.
  • Sathyanarayana S; Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington/Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, 91807, USA.
  • Salamova A; Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA. amina.salamova@emory.edu.
J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol ; 32(5): 682-688, 2022 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1795822
ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs), commonly used in cleaning, disinfecting, and personal care products, have recently gained worldwide attention due to the massive use of disinfectants during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, despite extensive use of these chemicals, no studies have focused on the analysis of QACs in human milk, a major route of exposure for infants.

OBJECTIVE:

Our objectives were to identify and measure QACs in breast milk and evaluate early-life exposure to this group of compounds for nursing infants.

METHODS:

Eighteen QACs, including 6 benzylalkyldimethyl ammonium compounds (BACs, with alkyl chain lengths of C8-C18), 6 dialkyldimethyl ammonium compounds (DDACs, C8-C18), and 6 alkyltrimethyl ammonium compounds (ATMACs, C8-C18), were measured in breast milk samples collected from U.S. mothers. Daily lactational intake was estimated based on the determined concentrations for 0-12 month old nursing infants.

RESULTS:

Thirteen of the 18 QACs were detected in breast milk and 7 of them were found in more than half of the samples. The total QAC concentrations (ΣQAC) ranged from 0.33 to 7.4 ng/mL (median 1.5 ng/mL). The most abundant QAC was C14-BAC with a median concentration of 0.45 ng/mL. The highest median ΣQAC estimated daily intake (EDI) was determined for <1-month old infants based on the average (using the median concentration) and high (using the 95th percentile concentration) exposure scenarios (230 and 750 ng/kg body weight/day, respectively).

SIGNIFICANCE:

Our findings provide the first evidence of the detection of several QACs in breast milk and identify breastfeeding as an exposure pathway to QACs for nursing infants. IMPACT STATEMENT Our findings provide the first evidence of QAC occurrence in breast milk and identify breastfeeding as one of the exposure pathways to QACs for nursing infants.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Disinfectants / Ammonium Compounds / COVID-19 Type of study: Experimental Studies Limits: Female / Humans / Infant / Infant, Newborn Language: English Journal: J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol Journal subject: Epidemiology / Environmental Health Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: S41370-022-00439-4

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Disinfectants / Ammonium Compounds / COVID-19 Type of study: Experimental Studies Limits: Female / Humans / Infant / Infant, Newborn Language: English Journal: J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol Journal subject: Epidemiology / Environmental Health Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: S41370-022-00439-4