Abstract
In Central America huge amounts of persistent organochlorine pesticides are being used. This paper presents data on organochlorine residues in human milk. The samples studied were collected from areas with different spraying patterns. The results show very high contamination rates with organochlorine pesticides, especially with DDT.
The highest levels were found in cotton-growing areas. Compared with residue levels in areas where cotton is not grown the difference was found to be statistically significant. Many of the quoted values are among the highest reported for the Western World. However, very high residue levels were also found even in Guatemala City, suggesting that other than agricultural uses of pesticides are important contamination sources.
It is believed that these high levels of pesticide residues in human milk reflect a high contamination among the population in general.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Adamović, V. M., and B. Sokić: Arhiv. za Higijenu rada I toksikologiji24, 303 (1973).
Arena, J. M.: Contamination of the ideal food: Nutrition5, 2 (1970).
Armour, J. A., and J. A. Burke: Method for separating polychlorinated biphenyls from DDT and its analogs. J.A.O.A.C.53, 761 (1970).
Blend, M. J.: In vitro uptake of labeled androgens by prostate tissue in the presence of dieldrin. Bull. Environ. Toxicol.13, 80 (1975).
Bragdon, J. H.: Colorimetric determination of blood lipids. J. Biol. Chem.190, 513 (1951).
Campbell, J. E., L. A. Richardson, and M. L. Schafer: Insecticide residues in human diet. Arch Environ. Hlth10, 831 (1965).
Davies, J. E., W. F. Edmundson, and A. Raffonelli: Socio-economic effects of human DDT pollution. Presented in: 99th Annual Meeting of the American Public Health Association, Oct. 10–15, 1971, p. 75 (Abstract No. 305-A).
Davies, J. E., W. F. Edmundson, and A. Raffonelli: The role of house dust in human DDT pollution. Am. J. Pub. Hlth65, 53 (1975).
Desaiah, D., and R. B. Koch: Inhibition of ATP-ases activity in channel catfish brain by Kepone and its reduction product. Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol.13, 153 (1975).
Dixon, W. J.: Processing data for outliers. Biometrics9, 74 (1953).
Fitzhugh, O. G., and A. A. Nelson: Chronic oral toxicity of DDT. J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther.89, 18 (1947).
Food and Agricultural Organization/World Health Organization (FAO/WHO). Pesticide Residues in Food. Report of the 1969 Joint Meeting of the FAO Working Party of Experts on Pesticide Residues and the WHO Expert Group on Pesticide Residues, Rome 8–15 December 1969. Geneva WHO (1970) (WHO: Technical Series No. 458 and FAO Agricultural Series No. 84).
Fries, G. F., and G. S. Marrow, Jr: Relationship of milk fat and body fat concentrations of organochlorine compounds in cows. J. Dairy Sci.,55, 706 (1972).
Graca, I., A. M. S. Silva Fernándes, and H. C. Mouro: Organochlorine insecticide residues in human milk in Portugal. Pest. Mon. J.8, 148 (1974).
Halver, J. E: Crystalline aflatoxine and other vectors for trout hepatoma. In: Trout Hepatoma Research Conference Papers, Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wild Life, (1967) p. 78 (Research Bureau Paper No. 70).
Hayes, J. J., Jr., W. E. Dale, and C. I. Pirkle: Evidence of safety of long-term, high oral doses of DDT for man. Arch. Environ. Hlth22, 119 (1971).
Keil, J. E., H. W. Croft, and S. H. Sandifer: DDT association with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol.12, 343 (1974).
Manual of Methods. Pesticide Residues in Human and Environmental Samples, Sections 5, A. (2), (a) and (b). North Carolina: Research Triangle Park, Pesticides & Toxic Substances Effects Laboratory, National Environmental Protection Agency (1971-1974).
Medvied, L. I.: Discussion of paper presented by L. Tomatis: Studies of the potential carcinogenic hazard represented by DDT. In: Proceedings of the IV International Congress of Rural Medicine, Tokyo, Japan, p. 64. Tokyo, Japan: Japanese Association of Rural Medicine (1970).
Morgan, D. P., and C. C. Roan: Absorption, storage, and metabolic conversion of ingested DDT and DDT metabolites in man. Arch. Environ. Hlth22, 301 (1971).
Olszyna-Marzys, A. E: Aplicación de la cromatografía de gas a la determinación de plaguicidas. Presented in: Seminario Nacional de Control de Drogas y Alimentas, Managua, Nicaragua, 3–6 noviembre de 1970.
Olszyna-Marzys, A. E., M. de Campos, M. T. Farvar, and M. Thomas: Residuos de plaguicidas clorados en la leche humana en Guatemala. Bol. Of. San. Pan.74, 93 (1973).
Pardo, C. J: Residuos de Pesticidas Organoclorados en la Leche Materna en Guatemala. Thesis. Guatemala: Facultad de Ciencias Quimicas y Farmacia, Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala (1974).
Poland, A., D. Smith, R. Kuntzman, M. Jacobson, and R. H. Conney: Effect of intensive occupational exposure to DDT on phenylbutazone and cortisol metabolism in human subjects. Clin. Pharmacol. Ther.11, 724 (1970).
Radomski, J. L., W. B. Deichmann, and E. E. Clizer with the assistance of A. Rey: Pesticide concentrations in the liver, brain, and adipose tissue of terminal hospital patients. Food Cosmet. Toxicol.6, 209 (1968).
Romero, A: El control integrado de plagas. Presented at: Primer Seminario Regional sobre Uso y Manejo de Plaguicidas en Centro America, Guatemala, 2–7 febrero (1976).
Schoor, W. P.: In vivo binding of p,p' DDE to human serum proteins. Bull.Environ. Contam. Toxicol.9, 70 (1973).
Shakman, R. A.: Nutritional influences on the toxicity of environmental pollutants. Arch. Environ. Hlth28, 105 (1974).
Smith, M. T., J. A. Thomas, C. G. Smith, M. G. Mawhinney, and J. W. Lloyd: Effects of DDT on radioactive uptake of testosterone 1,2-3H by mouse prostate glands. Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol.23, 159 (1972).
Tomatis, L., V. Turusov, R. T. Charles, M. Biocchi, and E. Gati: Livertumors in CF-1 mice exposed for limited periods to technical DDT. Z. Krebsforsch.82, 25 (1974).
Turusov, V. S., N. E. Day, L. Tomatis, E. Gati, and R. T. Charles: Tumors in CF-1 mice exposed for six consecutive generations to DDT. J. Nat. Can. Inst.51, 983 (1973).
U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare: Report of the Secretary's Commission on Pesticides and their Relationship to Environmental Health, Parts I and II (esp. p. 325). Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office (1965).
Westöö, G.: Changes in the levels of environmental pollutants (Hg, DDT, dieldrin, PCB) in some Swedish foods. Ambio3, 79 (1974).
World Health Organization (Vector Biology and Control): The present place of DDT in world operations. Presented in: Conference on Impact of Pesticides on Environment, Corvallis, Oregon, August 18–20, 1969.
Zeissig, J. A.: Investigatión de Insecticidas Residuales en la Fauna Marina de los Esteros de la Costa Sur de Guatemala. Thesis. Guatemala: Facultad de Ciencias Quimicas y Farmacia, Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala (1973). (Impreso No. 963).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
de Campos, M., Olszyna-Marzys, A.E. Contamination of human milk with chlorinated pesticides in Guatemala and in El Salvador. Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 8, 43–58 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01055139
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01055139