Persistent Organic Pollutants Residues in Human Breast Milk from Bathinda and Ludhiana Districts of Punjab, India

Abstract

In the present study, persistent organic pollutants (POPs), including six congeners of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides, were estimated in human breast milk samples collected from two districts of Punjab (India). The mean concentrations of POP residues were recorded higher in Bathinda district (PCBs: 33.7; DDTs: 519.2; HCHs: 46.6 ng g lipid wt.) than Ludhiana (PCBs: 24.2; DDTs; 415.3; HCHs; 35.5 ng g lipid wt.). Levels of PCBs and DDTs were observed higher in primiparas, whereas HCHs residues were seen more in multiparas. Risk analysis to POPs exposure through breast milk reflected that the daily intake for some infants was close to or above the tolerable daily intake limit for detrimental effects, which may raise a health concern. Comparative evaluation of present data indicated that DDT and HCHs residue levels in human breast milk from Punjab, India were among the lowest values reported for developing countries. The first-order kinetic reaction at a steady-state condition used to estimate the half-life of DDT and HCH suggested that DDT levels have declined from 18,211 to 490 ng g lipid wt. with a half-life (Tdec) of 3.25 years over a span of 15 years. Similarly, HCH levels have decreased from 8609 to 46.6 ng g in this duration with Tdec of 2.25 years. Because some infants are still at risk, continuous monitoring of POPs in human milk is needed for surveillance and interpretation of time trends and for linkage to strict enforcement of agricultural regulations.

A mixed-methods study of pesticide exposures in Breastmilk and Community & Lactating Women’s perspectives from Haryana, India

“…The limit of detection (LOD) in our screening study is also higher (10 μg/L; LOQ of 25 μg/L for OCs) than those in the published literature from India, which range between 0.008-0.02 μg/L [31]; 0.001 μg/L (OCPs) and 0.002 μg/L (OPs and SPs) [30]. It is important to note that our LODs (10 μg/L) were below maximum residue levels of 0.05 mg/kg (50 μg/L) set by the FAO/ WHO for DDTs in milk, thus allowing us to detect trace concentrations and values of public health significance [43].…”

“…Another study conducted in the north Indian state of Punjab found mean breastmilk concentrations of p,p'-DDE at 0.00056 ± 0.0042 μg/L [30]. More recently, Bawa et al, [31] found p,p'-DDE at 0.407 ± 0.885 and 0.345 ± 0.815 μg/L lipid weight from the north Indian cities of Bathinda and Ludhiana. They also detected DDT at 0.519 ± 1.017 and 0.415 ± 0.846 μg/L lipid weight in both cities respectively [31].…”

“…More recently, Bawa et al, [31] found p,p'-DDE at 0.407 ± 0.885 and 0.345 ± 0.815 μg/L lipid weight from the north Indian cities of Bathinda and Ludhiana. They also detected DDT at 0.519 ± 1.017 and 0.415 ± 0.846 μg/L lipid weight in both cities respectively [31].…”

“…Exposure to OPs and pyrethroids have been linked to aberrations in cognitive, behavioral, sensory, and motor development in children [25][26][27]. Several studies have found pesticides in breastmilk samples from parts of India, although none have examined OCs, OPs and pyrethroid pesticides in human breastmilk from the agrarian north Indian state of Haryana [28][29][30][31].…”

Multi-residue pesticides analysis in water samples using reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC)

“…Pesticides are highly toxic, persistent and bio-accumulative in nature [ 4 , 5 ]. Due to their lipophilic characteristics, they get biomagnified in the food chain and may cause serious health consequences [ 6 , 7 ].…”