reastmilk is the most ecologically sound and completefood available to infants. It is the foundation of food secu-rity for all infants and young children and is one of theworld's most valuable renewable natural resources.However, like virtually all of the world's naturalresources, breastmilk has been exposed to chemical pollu-tants.

While this is of some concern, the existence of chemicalcontaminants in breastmilk should not be a reason to limitbreastfeeding. Most health effects on the infant fromchemical contamination are associated with either expo-sure via the placenta in utero, or from fathers, rather thanfrom breastmilk. According to the research of Dr. EricDewailly and Dr. Joseph Jacobson, the contaminant expo-sure in maternal blood causes the same or far greater dam-age to the fetus than 10 fold higher exposure in breast-milk. Moreover, studies have shown that breastfeeding,even in a contaminated environment, has a positiveimpact on the development of children as compared toartificially fed children. Breastfeeding provides a vastarray of physical and psychological benefits to mothersand babies. Breastfeeding also provides critical compo-nents for the development of strong immune systems andprotects babies against environmental pollutants andpathogens.

Even where environmental contamination affectingbreastmilk is highest, the risks associated with artificialfeeding are higher. Heavy metals such as lead, alumini-um, cadmium and mercury, chemical residues from pesti-cides and fertilizers, and hormone-disrupting plasticizers

have all been found in formula. In addition, recallsof infant formula from the market are regularly madebecause of industrial and bacterial contamination. Andinfant formulas contain none of the immunological andanti-inflammatory protective constituents found in breast-milk.

The production of infant formula adds significantly toenvironmental contamination. The consumption of mate-rials (such as fossil fuels, wood products, other kinds ofenergy, forests cleared for cattle grazing, among others)and the ensuing production of wastes (greenhouse gasses,manufacture/use of metals, plastics, and paper for infantformula packaging) are prominent features of the manu-facture, distribution, and use of commercial baby milksand foods. By contrast, the production and consumptionof breastmilk is an environmentally benign act.

What you can do:

In order to protect this most valuable natural resource, weshould:

Support the global movement to reduce the use of pesti-cides and other persistent organic pollutants through ini-tiatives like the UN's Stockholm Convention onPersistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and the ILO'sConvention No:184 on Health and Safety in Agriculture.

Support local pesticide bans and promote organic lawnand garden care.

Endorse Working Together for a Toxic-Free Future -a joint statement by the World Alliance for BreastfeedingAction (WABA) and the International POPs EliminationNetwork (IPEN.) - See reverse.

Breastfeed!

Environment

"The real message of breastmilk contamination is:Stop the reckless degradation of our planet withuntested chemicals and don't stop breastfeeding!"Dr. Warren Bell President, Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment

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Therefore, educational and advocacy efforts to pro-mote a toxic-free future for our children should recog-nize, encourage and support collective actions aimed at pro-moting breastfeeding, reducing chemical contamination anddeveloping the strongest possible pollution prevention laws.

We share a vision of a toxic-free future and gener-ations of healthy children

In Sweden, strong governmental programmes to eliminatepersistent organic pollutants like DDT, dieldrin, PCBs anddioxin have resulted in dramatic decreases in contaminants

in breastmilk. In the United States, bans onlead in gasoline and smoking in publicplaces have resulted in dramatic decreasesin the levels of dangerous chemicals in theblood of young children. These publichealth achievements show that reductions inthe production, use and disposal of toxicchemicals, along with the destruction oftoxic chemical stockpiles and reservoirs,can decrease the body burden in our chil-dren and in all of us. The United NationsStockholm Convention on PersistentOrganic Pollutants (POPs), the developmentof sustainable alternatives to dioxin-produc-ing incineration, local and national efforts to

restrict the use of pesticides or to phase out the uses andemissions of mercury, all deserve our energetic and sus-tained support.

We pledge to work together towards the day whenour infants are born toxin free, and can grow anddevelop in a toxic-free world.

This Statement with the latest list of endorsers is availableat the WABA & IPEN websites. To endorse, write ASAP tothe World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action, WABA, andPO BOX 1200, PENANG 10850, MALAYSIA. Fax: 604-6572 655 Email: secr@waba.po.my

Working Together for a Toxic-Free FutureA joint statement by participating organizations of the World Alliance forBreastfeeding Action (WABA) & International POPs Elimination Network (IPEN)

We share a common concern: Toxic chemicals arecontaminating our childrenIf we tested every infant born today, anywhere in the world,we would find that s/he has a body burden of toxic industri-al chemicals. Dioxins, PCBs, mercury, phthalates, pesti-cides and other dangerous substances are being passed fromparent to child as early as the prenatal period.

Tiny doses of these chemicals can have a dramatic effect onthe developing child. Levels of mercury that would have noimpact on an adult can harm the developing brain of a fetus.A few trillionths of a gram of dioxin and PCBs can damagedeveloping immune and nervous systems.DDT, PCBs, dioxins and other persistentorganic pollutants not only cross the placen-ta, they also enter into breastmilk.

We recognize the need to promotebreastfeeding while we work towardsending the contamination of our com-munities

The contamination of breastmilk is onesymptom of the environmental contamina-tion in our communities. Responsibility forthis problem belongs to the industrialsources of contamination, not to breastfeed-ing women. The individual decision to breastfeed must bepromoted and protected while we work collectively towardseliminating the chemicals that contaminate the food we eat,the water we drink, the air we breathe, and the products weuse. Studies have shown that breastfeeding, even in a contami-nated environment, has a positive impact on the develop-ment of children as compared to those who are artificiallyfed. Breastfeeding supports infant growth and health as wellas maternal health in ways that breastmilk substitutes can-not. Indeed, breastmilk contains substances that help thechild develop a stronger immune system and other protec-tions against environmental pollutants and pathogens.