First WHO/UNEP survey of the current concentrations of persistent organic pollutants in human milk in Morocco.

The presence of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in human milk is an indicator of the level of these substances in the environment and enables evaluation of the potential exposure of breastfed children. POPs concentrations in a Moroccan human milk pooled sample (59 donors) were determined for the first time by the WHO reference laboratory to provide a baseline and allow monitoring of the future trends for those persistent organohalogen compounds. Eighty-one different POPs, including organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and dioxins and furans (PCDD/Fs) were identified and quantified by using gas chromatography (GC) with an electron capture detector (ECD) and confirmed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/LRMS). The obtained results showed that the sum of DDT (sum of o,p'-DDD, p,p'-DDD, o,p'-DDE, p,p'-DDE, o,p'-DDT, and p,p'-DDT) was 237.9 ng/g, representing 94.0% of all detected OCPs levels, with a dominance of p,p'-DDE, and p,p'-DDT. Cis-heptachlor epoxide, HCB, and HCH were found at much lower levels. PCB indicator level was 60.7 ng/g of lipid, with the dominance of PCB 138, PCB 153, and PCB 180, presenting 98.3% of the total. Among the 25 PBDE congeners quantified, BDE-47, BDE-153, BDE-197, and BDE-207 were the dominant congeners account for 15.4% of the total concentration of PBDE (1.3 pg/g lipid). The lipid-adjusted level of PCDD/Fs and dl-PCBs expressed in Toxic Equivalents (TEQs: 6.65 pg/g) were lower in comparison to those found in the other countries. In summary, detected POPs levels in Moroccan human milk were much lower compared to the other countries, reflecting the effectiveness of the compliance with Stockholm Convention requirements on eliminating or reducing emissions of selected POPs. Continued monitoring is needed for these compounds, for which this is the first data available, provided by the WHO/UNEP survey in Morocco.

Lead poisoning with encephalic and neuropathic involvement in a child: case report.

Lead is a toxic substance in our environment that affects adults and children of all socioeconomic backgrounds, lead poisoning is one of the most common exposures that can cause inter alia significant neurological and functional damage in humans. Children are particularly vulnerable because of the effects of the toxicity on their developing nervous systems with potentially irreversible consequences. We report a case of severe lead poisoning encephalo-neuropathy in a 3-year-old girl, admitted for progressive paraplegia, swallowing disorders, and aphasia. A multitude of investigations undertaken could not explain her atypic symptoms, so anamnesis was redone in the sense of a toxic origin, we found a notion of pica, and a traditional herbalist father, so probably consumption of medications based on traditional medicine products. A venous blood lead level (BLL) was extremely elevated at 176.4 µg/l. The child was treated with an oral chelator succimer (SUCCICAPTAL). During the two following months in the intensive care unit, the child showed progressive respiratory distress and worsening signs of the nervous system. Despite treatment and the use of lead chelators, the patient died due to septic shock. Lead is highly toxic even at very low exposure levels, at high levels of exposure, it can damage the reproductive organs, immune system, liver and kidneys. in children, it can affect neurocognitive and behavioral development that could be irreversible. Peripheral and central nervous system damage should be considered as a possible manifestation of lead poisoning.

Hair mercury levels in relation to fish consumption in a community of the Moroccan Mediterranean coast.

Coastal populations with high seafood consumption in the Mediterranean have a significant exposure to dietary methylmercury, and areas where environmental mercury pollution is an issue due to industrial activities are of special concern. The study was undertaken with the aim of assessing methylmercury exposure through fish consumption in a community of north Morocco and characterizing the relevant health risk. Concentrations of total mercury were determined in human hair, a biomarker of methylmercury exposure, and in locally consumed fish by cold vapour atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Based on consumption frequencies reported by the 108 subjects included in the study the weekly intake of methylmercury was estimated and biomarker data were evaluated in relation to the estimated intake and the sociodemographic characteristics of the population. Multiple regression analysis was employed for the interpretation of hair mercury data in relation to fish consumption frequency, gender and the age of individuals. Mercury concentrations in hair ranged from 0.22 to 9.56 microg g(-1) (geometric mean = 1.79 microg g(-1)) and were closely related to fish intake. Fisherman and their families consumed fish three to five times per week and were the most exposed population subgroup. A high proportion of women of child-bearing age (50%) had relatively high levels of mercury in their hair (3.08-7.88 microg g(-1)).