[Results of human milk analysis for pesticide levels in women of the south Bavarian region]. / Ergebnisse von Frauenmilchuntersuchungen aus dem südbayerischen Raum auf Schadstoffgehalte.

During the years 1986 to 1990 1.538 samples of human milk were analyzed by the "Landesuntersuchungsamt für das Gesundheitswesen Südbayern". Here we report on our results with emphasis on organochlorine pesticide and polychlorinated biphenyl analysis. Determination of PCDD and PCDF was possible only in a few samples for technical reasons. In 1984 the "Kommission zur Prüfung von Rückständen in Lebensmitteln" of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft published so-called tolerable concentrations for some pesticides and PCBs in human milk. These concentrations have been exceeded only in a few samples (HCB, DDT + DDE, PCB). There is a trend of decreasing concentrations in the last years. A good correlation between the concentrations of pesticides and the age of mothers and the number of births could be shown. There are regional differences in the concentrations of HCB. This study shows the persistence of some substances in human milk even years after banning their usage.

[Contamination of human breast milk with chlorinated hydrocarbon residues]. / Zur Kontamination von Muttermilch mit Rückständen chlorierter Kohlenwasserstoffe

136 out of 137 human breast milk samples which were investigated between June 1973 and January 1974 contained remains of the insecticide DDT and its metabolite DDE, Some of them in considerable amounts. On average the quantities of DDE were double those of DDT. In 73 samples DDD could be found at the same time. DDD can be formed during metabolization of DDT. Less frequently other chlorinated hydrocarbons were found, mainly hexachlorobenzene, lindane (gamma-HCH), TECHNOLOGICAL HCH and heptachloroepoxide. On the other hand quite frequently found in animals were rarely observed. Only one of the investigated samples of human breast milk was in accordance with the recently introduced legal maximum allowed for cow's milk and milk products, It seems particularly serious that, assuming normal conditions, the ADI value for DDT in adults suggested by the WHO was exceeded on average fourfold and in the highest value 16-fold. Also noteworthy is the not infrequent contamination with polychlorinated biphenyles. These are remains of industrial products which are very similar to DDT in their toxic and physico-chemical behaviour.