Occurrence and levels of organochlorine compounds in human breast milk in Bangladesh

In low-income countries, the use of some organochlorine pesticides is still common in order to increase food production. Monitoring the chemical exposure is an important step in risk-reducing strategies. This is the first study to report concentrations of organochlorines in breast milk of women from Bangladesh where farming is the main income source.Organochlorines such as p,p′-DDT, o,p′-DDT, p,p′-DDE, p,p′-DDD (i.e., ∑DDT), HCB, α-, β- and γ-HCH, trans-chlordane, cis-chlordane, oxy-chlordane, trans-nonachlor, cis-nonachlor, mirex and polychlorinated biphenyls (CB 28, 52, 99, 101, 105, 114, 118, 123, 128, 138, 141, 149, 153, 156, 157, 163, 167, 170, 180, 183, 187, 189, 194) were analyzed in breast milk collected in 2002 from 72 first-time mothers (median age 20 years) living in the rural area Matlab, Bangladesh.While the concentrations of PCBs and many of the pesticides were low, the concentrations of p,p′-DDT and its metabolite p,p′-DDE were high (median 349 and 1645 ng g−1 lipid, respectively) in comparison to other countries. The median value of ∑DDT was 2123 ng g−1 lipid. The estimated daily exposure to p,p′-DDT, p,p′-DDE and ∑DDTs was 10, 30 and 42 μg kg−1 body weight, respectively, in 3 months old infants. The p,p′-DDE/p,p′-DDT ratio ranged from 1 to 23, where 58% of the mothers had a ratio below 5 indicating recent or ongoing DDT exposure.This study reports infant exposure and maternal body burden of organochlorines through breast milk. Although the findings give no reason to limit breast-feeding, it is essential to identify the main exposure sources and find means to decrease the exposure.

► We monitored levels of organochlorine compounds in breast milk of Bangladeshi women from a non-endemic area. ► Compared to Europe and US, the concentrations of organochlorine pesticides in Bangladeshi mothers were 100 times higher. ► Low ratio between the pesticides (DDE and DDT) indicated ongoing or recent exposure. ► Low concentrations of polychlorinated compounds in breast milk from Bangladesh compared to Europe. ► Probable sources of organochlorine exposure include agricultural work or DDT-sprayed fish for vector control.