NEW PEER REVIEWED STUDY: Lykissa and Maharaj (2006) on Platinum Concentrations

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www.BreastImplantAwareness.org/cando.htm

Ilena,

Please post this.

" m keeling " <keeling.m@...>

Re: Lykissa and Maharaj (2006)

Note new research published on-line April 1, 2006 by Analytical

Chemistry, a peer-reviewed chemistry journal. Although not

available in the published journal until May 1st, 2006, the research

titled " Total Platinum Concentration and Platinum Oxidation States

in Body Fluids, Tissue, and Explants from Women Exposed to Silicone

and Saline Breast Implants by IC-ICP-MS " may be read on-line at:

www.BreastImplantAwareness.org/cando.htm

A summary of the research is provided by Chemical Associated

Neurological Disorders (CANDO) as follows:

SUMMARY

Women exposed to silicone breast implants have platinum levels that

exceed that of the general population, and the oxidation states of

the platinum indicate that the exposure may be toxic.

Ion chromatography-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (IC-

ICP-MS) was used to determine the total platinum concentration and

platinum oxidation states in samples from women exposed to silicone

and saline breast implants. Samples included: whole blood, urine,

hair, nails, sweat, brain tissue, breast milk, and explants.

Platinum in nine explanted silicone gel breast implants were mainly

in the +2, +4, and +6 oxidation states. Platinum in seven whole

blood and six breast milk samples from women implanted with silicone

breast implants occurred mainly in the +2 and +4 oxidation states.

In contrast, the fluid from the two saline breast explants did not

contain detectable levels of platinum.

This peer-reviewed published study is the first to document the

various platinum oxidation states in samples from women exposed to

silicone breast implants. Positive oxidation states indicate risk.

INTRODUCTION

A complex platinum salt, hexachloroplatinate, has been used in

silicone gel-filled breast implants as A catalyst in both the gel

and envelope. Platinum salt exposure has been associated with a

range of problems, from positive skin-patch tests (indicating an

allergic reaction) and contact dermatitis, to more serious problems

such as asthma, immunogenicity, inhibitory effects on brain enzymes

(brain damage), neurotoxicity (nerve damage), mutagenicity,

carcinogenicity, and allergic anaphylactic reactions.

Recent studies have shown that there are significant amount of

platinum in silicone breast implant gel and envelopes. Platinum has

been shown to leak out and accumulate in the scar tissue and fat

tissue of women exposed to silicone breast implants.

Platinum in compounds that occur in oxidation states other than zero

(0) may be harmful to human health. In the compound

hexachloroplatinate, the oxidation state of platinum is +4. No

previous study ever published actually analyzed a breast implant or

explant for the various forms of platinum.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The average amount of time the implants were in the women's bodies

was approximately fourteen years. The average number of years the

women were explanted before the analyses were conducted was six

years.

The surgically explanted silicone implants in the study were all 2nd

generation implants, from the 1970's through 1988, except for one

more recent 3rd generation " low-bleed " silicone gel breast explant.

Questionnaires were completed to provide information regarding

whether the women had been treated with platinum-based chemotherapy

drugs; had worked in occupational settings where exposure to

platinum may have occurred; or had dental amalgams that contained

platinum.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The average platinum concentration in samples from women exposed to

silicone breast implants was found to be the following when compared

to samples from individuals with no known platinum exposure:

Hair samples 14 times higher

Nail samples 3 times higher

Breast Milk 100 times higher

Urine 60 - 1700 times higher

Our results indicate that platinum migrates from silicone implants

via the lymphatic and blood systems into the urine, sweat, and

breast milk, with deposits and accumulation in hair and nails.

Platinum, including ionized forms of platinum, may persist years

after the silicone gel breast implants have been removed. Like

lead, platinum may accumulate in bone tissue.

The women did not have other platinum exposures that could explain

the results.

All silicone envelopes used in silicone, saline, and in testicular

implants catalyzed with ionized platinum would be expected to

degrade and depolymerize as they age.

CONCLUSION

Silicone gel breast implants are the most likely source of the

elevated total platinum levels, and the reactive forms of platinum

in women exposed to these devices.

Chemically Associated Neurological Disorders (CANDO)

P.O. Box 682633

Houston, Texas 77268-2633

281/444-0662

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