Abstract
BackgroundPopulation growth which has resulted in a need for increased crop yields to sustain food security, in addition to the effects of climate change, have led to the widespread use of chemical pesticides. The indiscriminate use of pesticides has in turn led to contamination of the environment, food commodities and bioaccumulation in human tissues, particularly in agrarian regions of India including the northern state of Haryana.MethodsWe conducted a pilot screening study to investigate the presence of organochlorine, organophosphate, and pyrethroid pesticides in breastmilk samples (n = 75) from Haryana, India. Pesticide analyses were conducted using gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for OC and OP pesticides and GC-electron capture detector for pyrethroids. The study was complemented by a qualitative evaluation of maternal and community perceptions, knowledge, attitudes and practices associated with pesticide use and risk of exposure (n = 30 in-depth interviews; n = 9 focus group discussions).ResultsAnalysis of breastmilk showed the presence of p,p’-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and p,p’-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) in 4% (range: <LOQ - 28 μg/L) and 5% (range: < LOQ – 107 μg/L) of samples, respectively. No other pesticides were detected.Our qualitative findings showed that community members commonly held perceptions of pesticides as medicines and poison but acknowledged their widespread use to ensure crop yields. Given the gendered engagement in farming in this setting, lactating women in study communities do not directly handle chemical pesticides, thus lowering risk of inhalation and dermal exposure.ConclusionsIn our small sample, breastmilk pesticide concentrations were low and did not pose a risk to infants. Based on the persistent nature of many organic pollutants and reported widespread use, we recommend more comprehensive and longitudinal investigation of upstream pesticide contamination in the food supply and exposures among mothers and children.Trial registrationCTRI/2017/01/007636, Date Registered: 06/01/2017.CTRI website: http://ctri.nic.in/Clinicaltrials/pdf_generate.php?trialid=17249&EncHid=&modid=&compid=%27,%2717249det%27
Highlights
Population growth which has resulted in a need for increased crop yields to sustain food security, in addition to the effects of climate change, have led to the widespread use of chemical pesticides
Maternal breastmilk fat content (38.8 ± 15.6 g/L) values are consistent with previous studies on human milk persistent organic pollutants (POPs) [29, 41, 42]
Our study suggests a need for further investigation of food systems and environmental exposures including pesticides and fertilizers, in peri-urban and rural communities of Haryana, India
Summary
Population growth which has resulted in a need for increased crop yields to sustain food security, in addition to the effects of climate change, have led to the widespread use of chemical pesticides. The indiscriminate use of pesticides has in turn led to contamination of the environment, food commodities and bioaccumulation in human tissues, in agrarian regions of India including the northern state of Haryana. Chemical pesticides are used to protect against such pests and include organochlorines (OCs) such as dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (p,p’-DDT) and hydrochlorocyclohexane (HCH), organophosphates (OPs), including chlorpyrifos and pyrethroids such as cypermethrin [2]. The demand for OP pesticides such as chlorpyrifos, profenofos and malathion and synthetic pyrethroids such as cyfluthrin, cypermethrin, deltamethrin has increased in India [4]. A study conducted in Haryana showed that hardly 2–4% of farmers utilize masks, gloves, boots and other protective clothing during application of pesticides [5]
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