Levels of persistent organochlorine pesticides in human breast milk from a suburban area of Mexico City and associated factors

Abstract

Organochlorine pesticide residues are frequently in human breast milk. They were measured in 108 samples  by gas-liquid chromatography (GC-ECD) from a suburban region around Mexico City. Residue mean contents found in the samples were ∑ DDT 2.55 µg/g (98%); ∑ HCH 0.693 µg/g (63%); Endrin 0.077 µg/g (4.6%); heptachlor + heptachlor epoxide 0.259 µg/g (66%); and Aldrin + Dieldrin 0.059 µg/g fat base (68%). ∑ DDT, ∑ HCH and endrin were below ADI but heptachlor + heptachlor epoxide and Aldrin + Dieldrin were above international values 2 and 2.4 times respectively. It were found association between mother residence site and DDE; DDE content and parity, mother age and milk fat level; fish feed and presence of pesticides.