ABSTRACT
To assess levels of chlorinated contaminants in breast milk, we measured organochlorine pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls, polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) in breast milk samples collected in 1994 according to the World Health Organization protocol from 92 donors that were representative of regional populations in southern Kazakstan. High levels (10-120 pg/g fat) of 2,3,7, 8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), the most toxic of the PCDD/PCDF congeners, were found in breast milk samples from an agricultural region. TCDD was the major contributor (75%) to the international toxicity equivalents of these samples. The same distinctive PCDD/PCDF congener pattern was found in 15 breast milk samples and 4 serum samples collected in 1996 in a follow-up study, and has now been confirmed by three analytical laboratories.
Subject(s)
Benzofurans/analysis , Environmental Exposure , Milk, Human/chemistry , Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins/analogs & derivatives , Soil Pollutants/analysis , Adolescent , Adult , Agriculture , Benzofurans/toxicity , Female , Humans , Kazakhstan , Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins/analysis , Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins/toxicity , Pregnancy , Reference Values , Soil Pollutants/toxicityABSTRACT
We have characterized the spectrum of PCB contaminants in human milk samples from 95 women in Kazakhstan using GC/MS congener specific analysis. In these samples, 12 PCBs comprised 83% of total PCB concentration, and were similar to the major PCBs reported in other published human milk studies. By summing concentration levels of 80 PCB congeners in the Kazakhstan samples, a mean total PCB concentration of 368 ng/g fat was obtained. This is lower than levels reported in human milk samples from Western Europe. Six indicator PCBs were summed in Kazakh milk samples; their aggregate value was similar to literature values published for human milk from the former Soviet Union. Using WHO's recent TEF scheme, the mean sum of PCDD/F, coplanar PCB, mono-ortho PCB, and di-ortho PCB TEQ is 42 pg TEQ/g fat.
Subject(s)
Milk, Human/chemistry , Polychlorinated Biphenyls/analysis , Soil Pollutants/analysis , Benzofurans/analysis , Female , Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Kazakhstan , Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins/analogs & derivatives , Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins/analysis , World Health OrganizationABSTRACT
Organochlorine pesticides (OC) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were measured in samples of breast milk taken from 92 donors representative of regional populations in southern Kazakstan. The World Health Organization protocol for assessing levels of chlorinated contaminants in breast milk was followed. The most prevalent OC residues were beta-hexachlorocyclohexane (beta-HCH), p,p'-DDE, p,p'-DDT, hexachlorobenzene, and alpha-HCH. The measured levels of beta-HCH were among the highest reported in the published literature. Data from Aralsk, near the Aral Sea, indicated continuing DDT exposure. Overall PCB-toxic equivalent levels (22 pg/g fat) were similar to those reported in industrialized European countries. PCBs were highest in Atyrau in the Caspian oilfields.
