Organochlorine compound residues in human milk in the United Kingdom 1989-1991.

1. The concentrations of some organochlorine pesticides and polychlorobiphenyls have been determined in 193 samples of human milk collected between July 1989 and July 1991. 2. Comparison of the results with those from previous studies in 1979-80, and earlier, shows a continuing decline in residue levels except for polychlorobiphenyls. 3. The concentrations of organochlorine pesticides and polychlorobiphenyls in human milk samples from residents in the United Kingdom compare favourably with data obtained in other countries.

Organochlorine pesticide residues in human fat in the United Kingdom 1982-1983.

Between December 1982 and October 1983 samples of human body fat were taken during routine necropsies carried out on 187 persons aged over 5 years and four infants aged under 4 months. Comparison of the results of analysis with those from the previous studies in 1976-1977, and earlier, shows a continuing decline in residues of p,p'-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (p,p'-DDT) and dieldrin (HEOD) and a reduction in the amounts of p,p'-dichlorodiphenyltichloroethane [p,p'-DDE, a metabolite of p,p'-DDT] and hexachlorobenzene. The concentrations of other compounds were similar to those observed in the previous studies. The results show that the amounts of organochlorine pesticides and polychlorobiphenyl compounds contained in human fat samples from residents in the UK compare favourably with data obtained in other countries.

Dietary exposure of man to chlorinated benzenes in the United Kingdom.

Chlorinated benzenes are produced in large quantities on a world-wide basis. They are important industrial chemicals, chemical intermediates and components of the waste products of chemical synthesis. Their widespread occurrence and persistence, particularly in the case of the more highly chlorinated benzenes, has resulted in residues in food and human tissues. Information currently available about the levels of residues of these compounds in food has been summarised with particular reference to U.K. data. Estimation of average dietary intake is only possible for the most highly chlorinated compound, hexachlorobenzene, and is calculated to be 0.2 micrograms per person per day. Though insufficient data exist to assess dietary intake of other chlorinated benzenes in the U.K. it is considered unlikely that they would occur at levels greater than hexachlorobenzene in the diet.

Organochlorine pesticide residues in human milk in Great Britain, 1979-80.

1 The concentrations of some organochlorine pesticides and polychlorobiphenyl compounds have been determined in 102 samples of human milk collected between January 1979 and September 1980. 2 Comparison of the results with those from a limited study undertaken in 1963-4 shows a decline in residues' levels. 3 The concentrations of organochlorine pesticides and polychlorobiphenyls in human milk samples from residents in Great Britain compare favourably with data obtained in other countries.

Organochlorine pesticide residues in human fat in the United Kingdom 1976-7.

Between May 1976 and August 1977 samples of human body fat were taken during routine necropsies in the United Kingdom on 236 subjects aged over 5 years and four infants aged under 4 months. Comparison with results from earlier studies showed a further decline in residues of pp'-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (pp'-DDT) and dieldrin (HEOD) and increased amounts of hexachlorobenzene residues; concentrations of other compounds were similar to those observed in the studies carried out in 1963-4, 1965-7, and 1969-71. Comparison of the data with those from other countries, showed that the concentrations of organochlorine pesticide residues and polychlorobiphenyls in human fat samples from residents of the United Kingdom remain among the lowest in Europe and, indeed, the world.