Background Exposure to Dioxins and PCB’s in Europe and the Resulting Health Effects

The effect of exposure to background levels of dioxins and PCB s transplacentally and through breast-feeding on healthy new-born babies after an optimal pregnancy were studied in the Netherlands.Negative effects were found on the development of the thyroid hormone metabolism, psychomotor development, behaviour and the immune system. Most of these effects were related to transplacental exposure. However, negative effects on the immune system and behaviour were related to current levels of PCBs measured in the blood of the child at the age of forty-two months. These findings can be extrapolated to areas in Europe with the same background levels.