Toxins found in breast milk

By Michelle Hillman / News Staff Writer
Wednesday, May 21, 2003

"BOSTON -- A master's degree in environmental sciences, a vegetarian diet and careful selection of household cleaners weren't enough to ensure Amanda Elkin's breast milk was free from toxins.

Elkin, 32, volunteered to have her breast milk tested at a laboratory in Germany to look for toxins as part of a demonstration by the Alliance for a Healthy Tomorrow.

The Alliance is a coalition of scientists and health, environmental and labor groups."Despite these efforts all of my life, they still found all of these toxins in my body," said Elkin, a Natick resident and mother.

Researchers found pesticides, dioxins or byproducts of trash incinerators, and brominated flame retardants used in curtains, hard plastics and other fabrics in Elkin's breast milk.

Elkin said she wants to know what effects these toxins will have on her child..."