Persistent organochlorines in human breast milk from Al-Sharkia Governorate, Egypt

Abstract

In the present study, 23 human breast milk samples were collected in January 2009 from Fakous city, Al-Sharkia Governorate, Egypt. The samples were analysed for organochlorine pesticides such as dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and its metabolites, α, β, and γ-hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) isomers. The average concentrations of ΣHCHs and ΣDDTs were 225 and 1315 ng g−1 lipid respectively. There was no significant difference between the levels of OCP and mother age, while there was a significant difference and correlation between the levels of OCP and the number of times the mother had breast fed (primiparae and multiparae) (p < 0.05). The results suggested that DDT is still entering the environment depending on the observed ratio of DDE/DDT. The levels of OCP in human milk elucidated that we need to do more regular pollutant monitoring programs.