Residues of organochlorine pesticides in human milk

Abstract

Levels of residues of chlorinated hydrocarbons p,p-DDT, p,p-DDE, p,p-TDE, x-, B-, y-hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), heptachlor epoxide, dieldrin and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the milk of 40 Zimbabwean mothers living in the Greater Harare area were analysed. Of all the milk samples analysed, relatively low residue levels of x-, B-, and v-HCH, peptochloroperoxide and dieldrin were detected in 58, 100, 63, 13 (not statistically significant) and 65 per cent respectively. Traces of the PCB congener 2,2,4,5,5 -penta- chlobipheny (PCB 101) were found in 15 samples. One sample contained traces of 2,3',4,4',5-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB 118). From this study, small though the sample was, it seems social status, educational background and living conditions are important demographic variables influencing the frequency distribution of residue levels of sum DDT in the mother’s milk.