Volume 91, Issue 6, May 2013, Pages 733–739
Presence of organochlorine pesticides in breast milk samples from Colombian women
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Abstract
The
presence of Organochlorine Pesticides (OCPs) in biological and
environmental samples has been studied for decades in many countries.
Nonetheless, studies in Latin American countries like Colombia have been
scarce. Determining the presence of OCPs in breast milk will be of
relevance to assess exposures, potential health risks, and for
surveillance among Latin American populations.
Thirty-two
breast-feeding mothers were selected to voluntarily participate in the
study. Breast milk samples were analyzed for 10 OCPs (α-, β-, γ-, δ-HCH,
Heptachlor, α-, γ-Chlordane, 4,4′ DDT, 4,4′ DDE, 4,4′ DDD). Milk
samples were analyzed using liquid–liquid extraction, followed by
sulfuric acid clean-up, and quantified using GC/μECD. Results were
confirmed by GC/MS. OCPs concentrations were normalized using fat
content. In all but one sample, 4,4′ DDE was quantified in
concentrations ranging between <17 and 14 948 ng g−1 (ng of OCP per g of lipids), with a mean value of 203 ng g−1.
One woman had 4,4′ DDE concentrations that were orders of magnitude
above the average concentrations observed worldwide. Concentrations of
4,4′ DDE in a second breast milk sample collected in a different time
period of lactation from a sub-group of 13 women from the original
participants, showed no statistically significant difference with the
concentrations found in the first sample. Based on the results obtained
from the Persistent Organic Pollutants Global Monitoring Plan report of
2009 of the Stockholm Convention, Colombia ranks fourth from bottom to
top in terms of 4,4′ DDE average concentrations.
Highlights
►
Chlorine pesticides were quantified in breast milk samples collected in
Colombia. ► For the study, 32 women were recruited in the city of
Bogota. ► 4,4′ DDE concentrations ranged between <25 and 14 948 ng g−1 (median = 126 ng g−1).
► 4,4′ DDE average concentration was similar to the results from other
countries. ► Results suggest no significant changes in pesticide
concentration during lactation.
Keywords
- Breast milk;
- Organochlorine pesticides;
- Biomarker of exposure;
- Colombia
- Corresponding
author. Address: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering,
School of Engineering, Universidad de los Andes, Carrera 1 este No.
19A-40, Of. ML 328, Colombia. Tel.:
+57 1 3394949x3693; fax: +57 1 3324313.
Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
