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Objective To measure levels of colostrum iodine, which has not been previously measured, and perchlorate and cotinine (a surrogate for thiocyanate derived from cigarette smoke) in women up to 60 h postpartum. Perchlorate and thiocyanate are environmental inhibitors of iodide transport into the thyroid and lactating breast. Design Cross-sectional. Patients Ninety seven postpartum women in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Measurements Colostrum iodine and perchlorate, and spot urine iodine, perchlorate, cotinine and creatinine concentrations were measured. Results Sufficient colostrum was obtained to measure iodine in 61 samples and perchlorate in 46 samples. Median colostrum iodine content was 51·4 µmol/l (range 21·3–304·2 µg/l). Perchlorate was detectable in 43 of 46 colostrum samples (median 2·5 µmol/l; range, < 0·05–188·9 µmol/l). Median urine iodine in 97 samples was 82·2 µmol/l (range, 10·3–417·1 µmol/l). Perchlorate was detectable in all 97 urine samples (median 2·6 µmol/l; range, 0·2–160·6 µmol/l). Colostrum iodine content was not significantly correlated with levels of colostrum perchlorate or concentrations per litre of urinary iodine, perchlorate, or cotinine. Colostrum perchlorate concentrations were not significantly associated with urinary iodine, perchlorate, or cotinine levels. Urinary cotinine levels were not significantly associated with urinary iodine or perchlorate levels. There was no association between maternal urinary iodine and urinary perchlorate levels. Conclusions Iodine is present in human colostrum and thus available for breastfeeding infants immediately after birth. Perchlorate was also present in 93% of samples measured, but the concentrations did not correlate with colostrum iodine concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on environment related issues of perchlorate and its potential impact on human health. It offers information on a study based on measurements of perchlorate concentrations in the Charles River in Boston, Massachusetts, before and immediately after the July 4, 2012, night-time fireworks. It mentions that the techniques ion chromatography and mass spectrometry were employed in the study.