Human milk POPs and neonatal risk trend from 1982 to 2009 in the same geographic region in Serbia

Three groups of POPs — DDT, HCH and PCBs were monitored in early human milk for 27 years (1982–2009), as a measure of environmental pollution in the same geographic region (South Bačka, Voyvodina, Serbia). Measurements were performed using ECD GC Varian 3400.Concetrations of DDT and HCH had general decreasing trend from 1982 to 2009. However, the concentrations of both groups of compounds showed small rises in 1994. Concentrations of PCBs had general decreasing trend from 1982 to 2009 — smooth and steep only till 1994 and with two small peaks in 2003 and 2009.The latest estimated daily intake of DDT and HCH was well below the EU upper limit for pesticides in food intended for infants and small children. Although the estimated daily intake of PCBs was far below the upper limit for daily milk products in Serbia, its increase in 2003 and 2009 is a clear indication of environmental influx of these compounds after the 1994 measurements.The likely explanation for such POP profiles in South Bačka could have been a series of negative environmental impacts escalating in 1999, after which four hot spots were identified in Serbia (Novi Sad, Pančevo, Bor and Kragujevac) by UNEP.The results of this monitoring showed that although a long standing environmental presence of POPs has a decreasing trend, their occasional output in the environment may cause bioaccumulation and biomagnification in human organisms which already start in the neonatal age through mother–child transfer via human milk.

► The long standing environmental presence of POPs has a decreasing trend.
► Occasional output in the environment may cause biomagnification in human organisms.
► Overall tdec0.5 for PCBs in the period 1982–2009 was calculated to be 6.7 years.
► Mean concentrations of DDT decreased from 89.34 to 3.93 ng/g w.w. (tdec0.5 = 6.3 years).