Residue levels of organochlorinated insecticides in breast milk: a preliminary report from Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia.

Breast milk samples obtained from 115 mothers residing in Al-Kharj area, Saudi Arabia, were quantified by gas chromatography and confirmed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for lindane, heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide, dieldrin, endrin, p,p-DDE, p,p-DDD, and p,p-DDT. The results showed that 80.9% of the samples contained p,p-DDT, 93.9% p,p-DDE, and 74.8% p,p-DDD. Whereas lindane, heptachlor, heptachlor-epoxide, dieldrin, and endrin were found in 23.5, 20.9, 36.5, 48.7, and 32.2% screened samples, respectively. Results of this survey clearly show that infants were exposed to organochlorinated pesticides. Although the levels of organochlorinated pesticides reported here are lower than those reported from several other countries, the maximum daily intakes of those pesticides exceeded the WHO/UNEP Acceptable Daily Intakes for a 5-kg infant. This finding warrants further research to determine the magnitude of the problem in Saudi Arabia. As there is a bulk of literature that highlights the adverse health effects of organochlorinated pesticides on children and infants, it would be advantageous to establish a regular organochlorinated pesticides monitoring program.