A follow-up study of maternal milk contamination with organochlorine insecticide residues

Abstract

Contamination of human milk with residues of organochlorine insecticides represents a major environmental problem. Four mothers were the subjects of a 5-month follow-up study of the weekly variations in the levels of these pollutants in their milk. Residues detected and confirmed were those of γ-HCH, heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide, chlordane, aldrin, dieldrin and isomers and metabolites of DDT. Fluctuation in the residue levels was obvious due to variations in the daily dietary intake of residues and variations in fat content of maternal milk.