Organochlorine and organophosphorus pesticide residues in breast milk from Bhopal,Madhya Pradesh,India

HCH isomers, endosulfan, malathion, chlorpyrifos, and methyl-parathion were monitored in human milk samples from Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. The endosulfan concentrations were highest and exceeded the sigma-HCH, chlorpyrifos, and malathion concentrations by 3.5-, 1.5-, and 8.4-fold, respectively. Through breast milk, infants consumed 8.6 times more endosulfan and 4.1 times more malathion than the average daily intake levels recommended by the World Health Organization. A correlation analysis (r values) between mothers' age and the content of the chemicals accumulated in breast milk indicated a substantial degree of correlation for malathion (r = 0.5). The other chemicals showed low to negligible correlation with donor age.     

Organochlorine pesticide residues in chicken eggs: a survey

One hundred and five chicken egg samples were taken from seven geographical locations in Kenya and analyzed for organochlorine pesticide residues using gas-liquid chromatography. Nine organochlorine compounds were detected: alpha- and gamma-HCH/BHC (hexachlorocyclohexane/benzene hexachloride), aldrin, dieldrin, p,p'-DDE [1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethylene], p,p'-DDD (TDE) [2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-1,1-dichloroethane] (tetrachlorodiphenylethane), o,p'-DDD [2-(o-chlorophenyl)-2-(p-chlorophenyl)-1,1-dichloroethane], o,p'-DDT [2-(o-chlorophenyl)-2-(p-chlorophenyl)-1,1,1-trichloroethane], and p,p'-DDT. Eighteen of the samples contained DDT levels exceeding the practical residue limit (0.5 ppm). The mean DDT residue content was 0.68 ppm, a result influenced greatly by the high contamination in the 18 samples. Both individual and mean residue levels for other organochlorine pesticides detected were well within the respective practical residue limits.     

Organochlorine pesticide residues in wheat from Konya region,Turkey

The present study has been carried out to evaluate the organochlorine pesticide contamination in wheat from Konya region. This region is the largest area of cereal production in Turkey. The contamination level has been determined according to the European Community Directives. Different wheat samples (36) were obtained from local farmers and wheat factories in this region. All the wheat samples examined were found to be contaminated by organochlorine pesticide residues of cis-Chlordane and methoxychlor. Chlordane isomers, methoxychlor, DDT and its metabolites, aldrin, β HCH, heptachlor and lindane have been found to be the highest organochlorine pesticide residues. In some of these samples, various organochlorine pesticide residues have been determined to be higher than European Community maximum residual limits. The residues of aldrin in one sample, trans-Chlordane in one sample, oxy-chlordane in eight samples and methoxychlor in one sample were found to be in excess of EC MRLs. Since most of the samples have been found to be contaminated with residues and some residues exceed EC MRLs, a control of organochlorine pesticide residues in wheat is necessary.     

Organochlorine pesticide residues in human breast tissue and their relationships with clinical and pathological characteristics of breast cancer

Agricultural pesticides are abundant environmental contaminants worldwide, prompting interest in studying their possible detrimental health effects. We examined organochlorine residues by quadrant (n = 245) in breast adipose tissues from 51 women with various stages of breast health to determine patterns of bioaccumulation within the breast and to assess relationships with patient clinical characteristics. Three organochlorine residues—2,2‐bis(p‐chlorophenyl)‐1,1‐dichloroethylene (p,p′‐DDE), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), and mirex—assayed by high resolution gas chromatography were abundant in breast tissue. p,p′‐DDE (745 ± 1054 ng/g lipid) was the most prevalent residue, comprising 97.5% of the total chemical burden. Mean levels of p,p′‐DDE and HCB were significantly correlated (P < .001) with patient age at mastectomy, and levels of p,p′‐DDE were correlated (P < .05) with BMI. Pesticide concentrations did not differ significantly by breast quadrant and were not different in the quadrant(s) where the primary tumor was located compared to other cancer‐free quadrants. In invasive cancer patients, organochlorine levels differed significantly based on clinical characteristics of the primary carcinoma, including stage, grade, ER status, and HER2 status, indicating that body burden of organochlorines may influence the development of specific subtypes of breast cancer. Potentially carcinogenic organochlorines were present at high levels within the human breast warranting further research to determine the impact of organochlorines in the etiology of breast cancer.     

Chlorinated pesticide residues in human breast milk collected from southern Jordan in 2012/2013

Chlorinated pesticide residues in human breast milk from five southern Jordan districts were analyzed in 2012/2013. The total number of samples from all districts was 100. The number of samples gathered from each district was collected according to their population densities. The present study shows that 59% of the samples which contained pesticides’ residues were p,p’-DDE, 30% contained β-HCH, 10% contained p,p′-DDT, 6% contained α-HCH, 2% contained heptachlor and 1% contained endrin. These human milk samples were free of aldrin, dieldrin, α-endosulfan, β-endosulfan, HCB, γ-HCH, o,p′-DDD, o,p′-DDT and o,p′-DDE. The levels of the six mentioned compounds detected in all mother’s milk samples were higher in Ghor El-Safi district compared with the other four districts. In this study, it is recommended to continue the pesticides residues monitoring in all parts of Jordan, particularly in Ghor El-Safi district and other regions in the cultivated Jordan Valley.     

Organochlorine pesticides in human milk from different areas of Kenya 1983-1985

Residue levels of the chlorinated hydrocarbons p,p'-DDT (2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-1,1,1-trichloroethane), p,p'-DDE (2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-1,1-dichloroethane), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), alpha-, beta-, and gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), aldrin, dieldrin, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were determined in human milk of Kenyan mothers living in different areas of Kenya. The main organochlorine contaminants found in all the milk samples analyzed were p,p'-DDT and p,p'-DDE. Great regional differences were found, and mean levels of sum DDT and DDT/DDE ratio ranged from 1.1 to 18.7 mg/kg milk fat and from 0.7 to 5.7, respectively. In general, relatively low residue levels of HCB, alpha-HCH, beta-HCH, aldrin, and dieldrin were detected in 59, 37, 27, 37, and 19%, respectively, of all the milk samples analyzed. Quantifiable residue levels of PCBs and alpha-HCH were not found. The results were examined in relation to differences in living conditions with regard to agricultural activities, dietary habits, and reported use of pesticides in the various sampling areas.     

Organochlorine compounds in Norwegian human fat and milk.

Analyses were carried out in 1975/76 of samples of human, perirenal fatty tissue and 45 samples of human milk with regard to persistent organochlorine compounds. A corresponding investigation was carried out in 1969/70. A comparison of the results suggests that a decrease in the content of DDT and its metabolites occurs. The PCB content showed a significant increase as compared with 1969/70. HCB levels of approx. 0.25 ppm and 0.0054 ppm were demonstrated in fatty tissue and in human milk, respectively. Concentrations of DDT plus metabolites, PCB and HCB in older people were significantly higher than those found in younger subjects.     

Organochlorine pesticide and polychlorinated biphenyl residues in Canada geese (Branta canadensis) from Chicago, Illinois

Breast muscle samples, with or without overlying adipose tissue and skin, were obtained from Canada geese collected in northeastern illinois while undergoing feather molt. Specimens were evaluated for contaminant concentrations to determine if they would be acceptable as human food provided through government-subsidized programs. Samples were baked, allowing fat to drip free, and assayed for persistent organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls. Residues of heptachlor epoxide, dieldrin, DDE and PCBs (as Arochlor 1248) were detected. The specimens contained relatively low concentrations of contaminants, such that US Department of Agriculture residue limits for meat were exceeded in only 1 sample. Baking of breast muscle without the overlying skin and adipose tissue resulted in reductions in concentrations of detectable compounds. Fewer samples baked with the skin attached had detectable concentrations of heptachlor epoxide, dieldrin and PCB then samples cooked without skin; however, the converse was true for DDE. Periodic monitoring for environmental contaminants such as PCBs, exclusion of geese from localities where samples have contaminants such as PCBs, exclusion of geese from localities where samples have contaminants at concentrations that exceed recommended dietary limits, the use of processing and/or cooking methods which remove large amounts of lipid, and advisories that provide information on known health risks are recommended if wild resident Canada geese from the Chicago area are provided as food for underprivileged humans.     

Haemophilia A home therapy in the United Kingdom 1975-6

Data on home treatment for patients with haemophilia A (factor VIII deficient haemophilia) were compiled for 1975 and 1976 from questionnaires answered by directors of haemophilia centres throughout the United Kingdom. There were 48 haemophilia centres in 1975 and 71 in 1976. The number of patients on or in training for home treatment increased from 267 to 488 in the two years, and a further 241 haemophiliacs were considered suitable for home therapy by the end of 1976. Apart from a small (but increasing) number of haemophiliacs on prophylactic treatment, most patients were on low-dose (250-500 units) on-demand regimens, using a mean of 20 000 factor VIII units per patient per year in 1976. An estimated 55% of the blood product used for home therapy in the UK in 1976 was imported from commercial sources. Despite the fact that the numbers of patients on home treatment have increased, so that about 60% of the potential population were receiving or being considered for home treatment in 1976, inadequacies in the service still remain. In some centres follow-up is clearly inadequate; about 15% of patients still rely on cryoprecipitate; and too little money has been invested in making the NHS self-sufficient in factor VIII production.     

Analysis of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in Swedish human milk. A time-related trend study, 1972-1997

A previously described method for analysis of organochlorine compounds in human milk was adopted for analysis of brominated diphenyl ethers (BDEs) substituted with three to six bromine atoms. Analytes were extracted from human milk with the lipophilic gel Lipidex 5000. Further purifications were performed on partly deactivated aluminum oxide and silica gel columns, followed by gel permeation chromatography. The concentrations of BDEs were determined by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The average recoveries of 2,2',4-triBDE (BDE-17), 2,4,4'-triBDE (BDE-28), 2,2',4,4'-tetraBDE (BDE-47), 2,3',4,4'-tetraBDE (BDE-66), 2,2,3,4,4'-pentaBDE (BDE-85), 2,2',4,4',5-pentaBDE (BDE-99), 2,2',4,4',6-pentaBDE (BDE-100), 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexaBDE (BDE-153), and 2,2',4,4',5,6'-hexaBDE (BDE-154) added to the samples before extraction ranged from 86% to 102%. Pooled samples of breast milk, collected at eight time periods between 1972 and 1997, were analyzed for PBDEs. BDE-47 was the most abundant PBDE congener in all samples. In total, eight PBDE congeners were identified in the milk. The sum of the concentrations of BDE congeners in human milk increased from 0.07 to 4.02 ng/g lipids during the 25-yr period studied.