Chlorinated hydrocarbon pesticides in blood of newborn babies in India.

Umbilical cord blood collected during labor of 100 Indian women was analyzed for organochlorine pesticides by gas-liquid chromatography with electron-capture detection. Significant levels of p,p'-DDT and its metabolites, p,p'-TDE and p,p'-DDE, as well as alpha-, beta-, and gamma-isomers of BHC were estimated. Residues in the neonatal blood were related to age, dietetic habits, and area of residence of the mothers. The study highlights the extent of placental transfer of the body burden of toxic chemicals from the mother to the fetus.