Determination of Chlorinated Pesticides in Breast Milk of Saudi Lactating Mothers

Abstract

Environmental pollutants which may occur in breast milk and in various food products and drinking water, and which are also transferred to the fetus, constitute a severe threat to the health of infants and children. Among such compounds, various organochlorines, such as pesticides p, p’ DDE, o, p DDT, p, p’ DDT, methoxycholr and kepone for the control of parasites. The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of organochlorine pesticides in breast milk of Saudi lactating mothers (Jeddah). Breast milk samples, randomly collected from 13 Saudi donors were analyzed for chlorinated pesticides, using SFE and gas chromatography connected to electron capture detector (ECD). DDE was found in four samples only and ranged from 0.01- 0.02 ppm, and DDT was found in one sample and contains 0.043 ppm. Residue level of DDE and DDT found in the milk samples were generally low compared to the levels reported from Riyadh and Eastern regions in the Kingdom and also in other Middle Eastern Countries.