Simultaneous presence of DDT and pyrethroid residues in human breast milk from a malaria endemic area in South Africa

H. Bouwmana, , , B. Seredab and H.M. Meinhardtc

School for Environmental Sciences and Development, North-West University (Potchefstroom Campus), Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa
Agricultural Research Council, Plant Protection Research Institute, Private Bag X134 Queenswood, Pretoria 0121, South Africa
South African Bureau of Standards, Testing and Conformity Services (Pty) Ltd, Private Bag X191, Pretoria 0001, South Africa

Received 16 August 2005; revised 23 December 2005; accepted 2 February 2006. Available online 24 March 2006.

Abstract

DDT and pyrethroids were determined in 152 breast-milk samples from three towns in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, one of which had no need for DDT for malaria control. All compounds were found present in breast milk. Primiparae from one town had the highest mean SDDT whole milk levels (238.23 µg/l), and multiparae from the same town had the highest means for permethrin (14.51 µg/l), cyfluthrin (41.74 µg/l), cypermethrin (4.24 µg/l), deltamethrin (8.39 µg/l), and Spyrethroid (31.5 µg/l), most likely derived from agriculture. The ADI for DDT was only exceeded by infants from one town, but the ADI for pyrethroids was not exceeded. Since the ADI for DDT was recently reduced from 20 to 10 µg/kg/bw, we suggest that this aspect be treated with concern. We therefore raise a concern based on toxicant interactions, due to the presence of four different pyrethroids and DDT. Breastfeeding however, remains safe under prevailing conditions.

The simultaneous presence of DDT and pyrethroid residues in breast milk raises the question of infant exposure and safety.

Fuente: http://eutils.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db
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