Abstract

PIP: Researchers analyzed data from interviews with 40 mothers living in suburban Harare, Zimbabwe and analyses of their breast milk to study contamination levels of organochlorine pesticides in breast milk. The 14 mothers living in the low-density suburbs of Milton Park, Queensdale, Avondale, and Borrowdale had a higher socioeconomic status and a higher educational status than the other mothers. These 14 mothers also had a nutritious diet and adequate knowledge of pesticides and their use (group 1). The high-density suburbs included Mbare, Mufakose-Kambuzuma, Dzivaresekwa, and Epworth. The 26 mothers living in these areas tended to be of a low socioeconomic status and have only primary education, poor diet, and limited pesticide knowledge (group 2). Breast milk of Group 2 mothers contained a higher mean level of total DDT (as expressed in ppm mg/kg of fat weight) and DDT/DDE ratio than group 1 breast milk, but the differences were insignificant (7.39 vs. 3.44 and 0.93 vs 0.37). The total DDT intake surpassed the acceptable daily intake (ADI) for infants based on the FAO/WHO ADI for adults. Yet no evidence existed that this amount was harmful to infants. The only metabolite found in the breast milk of all mothers was p,p'-DDE (the major metabolite of p,p'-DDT). Its mean was highest in group 2 breast milk (2.72 vs. 2.18). These results reflected the continued use of DDT in agriculture and effects of the malaria control program in Zimbabwe. The persistent levels of p,p'-DDE also indicated that the women ate meat from animals in which p,p'-DDE had accumulated. Residues of 3 lindane isomers were present in 58-100% of the breast milk samples with beta-HCH being the most persistent. Dieldrin and heptachlor epoxide levels were quite low (mean 0.05 and 0.01 respectively) indicating minimal use Zimbabwe. The researchers reiterated a commitment to breast feeding, but further research about the effects of pesticide residues is needed.