Assessment of dietary exposure to some persistent organic pollutants in the Republic of Karakalpakstan of Uzbekistan.

Abstract

A 1999 study heightened long-standing concerns over persistent organic pollutant contamination in the Aral Sea area, detecting elevated levels in breast milk and cord blood of women in Karakalpakstan (western Uzbekistan). These findings prompted a collaborative research study aimed at linking such human findings with evidence of food chain contamination in the area. An international team carried out analyses of organochlorine and organophosphate pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) on samples of 12 foods commonly produced and consumed in Karakalpakstan. Analysis consistently detected long-lasting organochlorine pesticides and their metabolites in all foods of animal origin and in some vegetables such as onions and carrots-two low-cost components of many traditional dishes. Levels of PCBs were relatively low in all samples except fish. Analyses revealed high levels of PCDDs and PCDFs (together often termed "dioxins") in sheep fat, dairy cream, eggs, and edible cottonseed oil, among other foodstuffs. These findings indicate that food traditionally grown, sold, and consumed in Karakalpakstan is a major route of human exposure to several persistent toxic contaminants, including the most toxic of dioxins, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (2,3,7,8-TCDD). Intake estimations demonstrate that consumption of even small amounts of locally grown food may expose consumers to dioxin levels that considerably exceed the monthly tolerable dioxin intake levels set by the World Health Organization. Data presented in this study allow a first assessment of the risk associated with the consumption of certain food products in Karakalpakstan and highlight a critical public health situation.

The Use and Fate of Pesticides in Vegetable-Based Agro-Ecosystems in Ghana

“…The pesticide content reached 8% of the respective FAO/WHO limits (Arnold et al, 1998). However, it is important to note that some of the identified pesticides in this study, for example DDT and its metabolite DDE, together with β-HCH are known to suppress lactation (Muntean et al, 2003). These compounds are highly persistent and their continued presence at significant levels in the food supply is a matter of great health concern.…”

“…Other studies have reported the presence of γ-HCH in plant, water, and sediment. Because of the high persistence and bioaccumulation of α-HCH and β-HCH, technical HCH mixtures were banned in almost all developed countries more than 25 years ago, but application of γ-HCH (lindane) is still allowed for specific purposes (Muntean et al, 2003). In Ghana, lindane has been in the provisional list of severely restricted pesticides since 1996 .…”

Climate change and food safety: A review

“…In the Aral Sea area, agriculture mis-management (e.g. cotton monoculture, over irrigation, pesticide abuse) and accelerated desertification due to both environmental degradation and climate change, have resulted serious contamination of soil, water and local foods with high levels of POPs and dioxins, leading to critical health and socio-economic impacts to local populations (Muntean et al, 2003).…”

Mouse breast cancer model-dependent changes in metabolic syndrome-associated phenotypes caused by maternal dioxin exposure and dietary fat

“…Individuals that have metabolic syndrome or that are obese usually have higher consumption of fatty foods from animal origin, which is associated with a greater body burden of lipophilic endocrine disruptors such as 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzop-dioxin (TCDD) (16,18,21,34). Elimination of TCDD is slowed substantially as body fat increases (10,32).…”