Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in human breast milk and associated health risks to nursing infants in Northern Tanzania

Organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls in sediments of the Lanzhou reach of Yellow River (China): Spatial distribution, sources and risk assessment

Knowledge about sediment levels and sources of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in Lanzhou section Yellow River remains limited. Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) levels in 12 sediment samples from this region were measured by GC/MS. OCPs concentrations ranged from 85.6 to 202 ng/g, while PCBs levels varied between 3.08 and 32.3 ng/g. Our findings demonstrated a significant correlation between these pollutants and total organic matter (TOC), highlighting TOC's role in pollutants distribution. Notably, OCPs and PCBs levels were higher in the eastern section, following the water flow direction. The primary OCPs components were hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), whereas PCBs were dominated by perchlorinated compound. Source identification indicated that OCPs primarily originated from historical residues and recent applications, while industrial activities as significant PCBs sources. Sediment quality guidelines and health risk assessments indicated negligible environmental risk. This study providing valuable insights on sediment pollution control and management strategies.

Organic food and internal exposure to pollutants among Flemish adolescents

Contrary to the initial hypothesis, Flemish adolescents who reported consuming organic food at least 7.5 times per week did not exhibit reduced internal exposure to the tested recently used pesticides. After adjustment for gender, age, country of origin, socioeconomic status, body mass index, consumption of high-fat foods and foods linked to organic food consumption, and concerning organochlorine derivatives and lead, additional adjustment for the duration of breastfeeding expressed in weeks, they displayed slightly elevated internal exposure to organochlorine derivatives, lead, methyl arsenate, and toxic relevant arsenic. A comparison was also made between the correlation of internal exposure to pollutants with the frequency of organic food consumption on one hand and the total consumption of equivalent products from all sources on the other. Regarding potatoes, vegetables, and fruits, no clear trends were observed. Regarding eggs, there was a trend towards higher internal exposures with organic food consumption, significant for trans-nonachlor, PCB118, and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, and marginally significant for glyphosate. For dairy, there was a trend towards higher internal exposures with organic food consumption, significant for perfluorononanoic acid and marginally significant for PCB153. Regarding nuts and seeds, the higher internal exposure to dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and the lower exposure to 3-phenoxybenzoic acid were marginally significant, while there was also a trend towards higher internal exposure to other pollutants with organic food consumption, significant for PCB118, PCB153, and sum PCBs, and marginally significant for trans-nonachlor. Concerning breakfast cereals and muesli, no clear trends were observed.

Investigating the levels of organochlorine pesticides in human milk at three lactational stages: an intensive Ghanaian study

During breastfeeding, the human breasts secrete three different kinds of milk. Research indicates that newborns exposed to organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) during developmental stages, even at low concentrations, may suffer irreparable harm. The study aimed to ascertain whether OCPs levels in human milk vary across lactational stages. University of Health and Allied Sciences Research Ethics Committee (UHAS- REC) examined and approved the study protocol. 47 volunteers were chosen using purposive sampling. Each participant donated 15 ml of each type of breast milk. Colostrum was taken shortly after delivery up to day 4, transitional milk between day 5 and two weeks postpartum, while mature milk was taken two weeks afterwards. A modified version of QuEChERS was used to process 10.0 g aliquot of each breast milk sample, and the resulting extracts analysed for OCPs employing a Gas Chromatograph, Varian CP 3800, fitted with electron capture detector (ECD). The detection threshold was not reached for any of the six OCPs tested. This implied that none of the breast milk components analysed in this study contained any detectable levels of OCPs that might have posed any serious health risks to the infants through breastfeeding. Aldrin, chlordane, DDT, dieldrin, endrin, and heptachlor were not found in detectable quantities in mothers' milk during the three stages of lactation. Our findings are encouraging. The study's findings likely show that the Stockholm Convention's campaign to remove POPs from the environment seems to be yielding positive impact.

Combined effects of organochlorine pesticides on type 2 diabetes mellitus: Insights from endocrine disrupting effects of hormones

Association between organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) exposure and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) remains contradictory, and the evidence is mostly focused on a single exposure. Here, we assessed the associations between individual and combined OCPs exposure and T2DM, and explored the underlying mechanism of sex hormones and the methylation levels of sex hormone receptors in above associations. A case-control study with 1812 participants was performed. Gas chromatography mass spectrometry, liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, and pyrosequencing were used to measure plasma OCPs, serum sex hormones, and whole blood methylation levels of sex hormone receptors, respectively. Generalized linear models were used to analyze the relationships between OCPs, sex hormones, the methylation levels of sex hormone receptors, and T2DM. Quantile based g-computation (QGC) and Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression (BKMR) were employed to assess the combined OCPs exposure. The roles of sex hormones and the methylation levels of their receptors were evaluated by moderating mediation models. After adjusting for covariates, each unit (2.718 ng/ml) increase in p,p'-DDE was associated with a higher risk of T2DM in males (odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.066 (1.023, 1.112)). QGC and BKMR showed a positive combined effect in the associations of OCPs mixtures on T2DM among premenopausal females, and positive effects but not statistically significant among males and postmenopausal females. p,p'-DDE was the largest contributor for the positive associations. Furthermore, testosterone mediated 21.149% of the associations of p,p'-DDE with T2DM moderated by the androgen receptor methylation (ARm) located in CpG island 1. Individual and mixtures of OCPs exposure were positively linked to elevated risk of T2DM. Testosterone and ARm may participate in the related processes of OCPs with T2DM, providing new insights into the adverse endocrine effects caused by OCPs and specific pathways for the etiology and control of diabetes.

Organochlorine Pollutants in Human Breast Milk from North of the Far Eastern Region of Russia

The widespread application of pesticides in the territories of the former USSR still exerts negative impacts on their ecological status. In this regard, dedicated programs for monitoring persistent organic pollutants (POP) in humans are implemented in several countries. Our study aimed to assess the accumulation of organic pollutants in breast milk of women residing the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug (CAO). Organochlorine pesticides (OCP) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) concentrations in breast milk samples were measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The POP concentrations in the samples varied from 13 ng/g lipid weight (lw) to 620.6 ng/g lw (median 58.3 ng/g lw). An assessment of health risk to infants fed breast milk from CAO women did not show any exceedance of the estimated daily intake (EDI). The results obtained are the indirect evidence of the presence of these compounds in the environment and their negative effects on ecosystems and human health.

Assessment of endocrine disrupting chemicals in breast milk: Association with dietary habits and duration of lactation

The present study was aimed to assess infant safety associated with the presence of persistent organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in breast milk, a possible route of transfer of endocrine-disrupting chemicals to newborns in North India. Colostrum and breast milk samples (n = 130) were collected at different stages of lactation. Pesticides analysis was performed using gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). We observed that of all the samples analysed, OCPs concentration was higher in breast milk than in colostrum, suggesting pesticides contamination increases over lactation period. As far as OCPs are concerned, dieldrin [1196.64 ± 673.75 ng/g lipid weight (lw)], and β-HCH [1107.78 ± 1301.72 ng/g lw], were the predominant OCPs, followed by aldrin [977.09 ± 707.69 ng/g lw], α-HCH [948.04 ± 476.65 ng/g lw] and 1,1'-(2,2-Dichloroethene-1,1-diyl)bis(4-chlorobenzene) (p,p'DDE) [790.11 ± 399.35 ng/g lw]. The association between OCPs levels and women dietary habits were also explored, and all the OCPs were grouped and compared to each other by consumption level of fish, meat, sea foods, eggs, and dairy products. We found that women consuming non vegetarian food, like fish and meat, were exposed 3.5 times more to OCPs than women consuming vegetarian food. In addition, we also observed that factors like mother's age was positively (<0.005 - <0.001) correlated while gestational age and infant birth weight were negatively (<0.005) associated with the levels of OCPs in colostrum and breast milk, respectively. Unfortunately, neither any standards nor guidelines are available for the use of pesticides, therefore, it is suggested that careless use of OCPs should be checked and suitable remedial measures be taken to decrease human contamination. Moreover, further studies are warranted to elucidate relationship between pesticide residues in breast milk and the maternal and child health.

Postnatal exposure to organic pollutants in maternal milk in north-western Spain

Evaluation of postnatal exposure to organic pollutants is especially important for suckling infants during breastfeeding, a crucial perinatal growth period when organs and hormonal systems develop. We determined levels of 60 pollutants, including organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs), pyrethroids (PYRs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), in 81 breast milk samples from breastfeeding mothers from Santiago de Compostela (north-western Spain). For most detected organic pollutants, levels were correlated with the season of milk sampling, maternal age at delivery, and place of residence. Dietary consumption habits (eggs, molluscs, and vegetable oils) were also correlated with OCP, OPP, PCB, PBDE and PYR levels. We also assessed the risk to infant health of exposure to organic pollutants in breast milk. PAHs, OCPs, OPPs, and PYRs accounted for almost 95% of the targeted organic pollutants in the samples analysed.

Gut microbiota: a non-target victim of pesticide-induced toxicity

The human gut microbiota can be potentially disrupted due to exposure of various environmental contaminants, including pesticides. These contaminants enter into non-target species in multiple ways and cause potential health risks. The gut microbiota-derived metabolites have a significant role in maintaining the host's health by regulating metabolic homeostasis. An imbalance in this homeostasis can result in the development of various diseases and their pathogenesis. Pesticides have hazardous effects on the host's gut microbiota, which is evident in a few recent studies. Therefore, there is an urgent need to explore the effect of pesticide on gut microbiota-mediated metabolic changes in the host, which may provide a better understanding of pesticide-induced toxicity. The present review summarizes the pesticide-induced effects on gut microbiota, which in turn, induces changes in the release of their secondary metabolites that could lead to various host health effects.

Changes in Polychlorinated Biphenyl Residues in Milk during Lactation: Levels of Contamination, Influencing Factors, and Infant Risk Assessment

Given the importance of breastfeeding infants, the contamination of human milk is a significant public concern. The aim of this study was to assess the contamination of human milk with dioxin-like PCBs (dl-PCBs) and non-dioxin-like PCBs (ndl-PCBs) in relation to the duration of lactation and other influencing factors, especially the frequency of the consumption of selected foods during pregnancy. Based on this, the health risk to infants was assessed and compared to the tolerable daily intake (TDI). PCB determinations were performed using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The ∑ndl-PCB content ranged from 0.008 to 0.897 ng/g w.w., at an average of 0.552 ng/g wet weight, which was 55% of the maximum level according to the EU guidelines for foods for infants and young children. The toxic equivalent (TEQ) was in the range of 0.033-5.67 pg-TEQ/g w.w. The content of non-ortho, mono-ortho, and ndl-PCBs in human milk decreased the longer lactation continued. Moreover, when pregnant women smoked tobacco, this correlated significantly with increases in the concentrations of PCB congeners 156, 118, and 189 in human milk. The human milk contents of PCB congeners 77, 81, 186, 118, and 189 were strongly positively correlated with the amount of fish consumed. The content of stable congeners PCB 135 and PCB 153 increased with age.

Toxicity of polychlorinated biphenyls in aquatic environments - A review

The assessment of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and their congeners resulting from the pollution of all environmental media is inherently related to its persistence and ubiquitous nature. In principle, determination of this class of contaminants are limited to the determination of their concentrations in the various environmental matrices. For solving many problems in this context, knowledge of the emission sources of PCBs, transport pathways, and sites of contamination and biomagnification is of great benefit to scientists and researchers, as well as many regulatory organizations. By far the largest amounts of PCBs, regardless of their discharged points, end up in the soil, sediment and finally in different aquatic environments. By reviewing relevant published materials, the source of origin of PCBs in the environment particularly from different pollution point sources, it is possible to obtain useful information on the nature of different materials that are sources of PCBs, or their concentrations and their toxicity or health effects and how they can be removed from contaminated media. This review focuses on the sources of PCBs in aquatic environments and critically reviews the toxicity of PCBs in aquatic animals and plants. The review also assesses the toxicity equivalency factors (TEFs) of PCBs providing valuable knowledge to other scientists and researchers that enables regulatory laws to be formulated based on selective determination of concentrations regarding their maximum permissible limits (MPLs) allowed. This review also supplies a pool of valuable information useful for designing decontamination technologies for PCBs in media like soil, sediment, and wastewaters.

Human Biomonitoring of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) in the Breast Milk of Colombian Mothers

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent in the environment, bioaccumulate and biomagnify throughout the food chain, and may have adverse effects on human health and wildlife. PCB indicator (PCB 28, PCB 52, PCB 101, PCB 118, PCB 138, PCB 153, and PCB 180) were monitored in human milk using 68 samples from healthy and primiparous mothers from seven cities in Colombia, and the estimated daily intake (EDI) of infants was calculated. The PCB indicator with the highest concentration was PCB 153 with a value of 7.30 ng g^-1 lipids. The maximum EDI was calculated as 0.257 μg kg^-1 bw^-1 day^-1. In general, the PCB levels found in the 68 samples were low and did not represent a risk to breastfed infants. Additionally, these results could strengthen Colombia's efforts to increase the practice of breastfeeding. Finally, the results establish a general overview of population exposure and can be a scientific tool to improve environmental health policies in the country.

A comprehensive evaluation of organic micropollutants (OMPs) pollution and prioritization in equatorial lakes from mainland Tanzania, East Africa

A lack of understanding the fate of highly toxic organic micropollutants (OMPs) in the equatorial lakes of Tanzania hinders public awareness for protecting these unique aquatic ecosystems, which are precious water resources and stunning wildlife habitats. To address this knowledge gap, the occurrence of 70 anthropogenically-sourced OMPs, including phthalates (PAEs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), was investigated in the water and sediment of 18 lakes in Tanzania. Similar residue concentrations were found in both compartments, showing higher pollution of PAEs ranging from 835.0 to 13,153.1 ng/L in water and 244.6-8691.8 ng/g dw in sediment, followed by PAHs, while OCPs and PCBs were comparatively lower. According to the multi-criteria scoring method for prioritization, the final OMP priority list for the lake environment in Tanzania comprised 25 chemicals, specifically 5 PAEs (DEHP, DIBP, DBP, DCHP and DMPP), 6 PCBs (PCB153, PCB105, PCB28, PCB156, PCB157 and PCB167), 6 PAHs (BaP, BaA, BbF, Pyr, DahA and InP) and 8 OCPs (cis-chlordane, trans-chlordane, p,p'-DDD, p,p'-DDE, p,p'-DDT, endrin, methoxychlor and heptachlor epoxide), suggesting the key substances for conventional monitoring and pollution control in these equatorial lakes, with an emphasis on PAEs, especially DEHP, due to the top priority and endocrine disruptor properties.

Health risk assessment of exposure to organochlorine pesticides in the general population in Seoul, Korea over 12 years: A cross-sectional epidemiological study

This study evaluated the 12-year trends in serum levels of 28 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in 880 adults living in Seoul, Korea. The OCP levels decreased from 2006 to 2017, and p,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene was a predominant compound. OCP levels were higher in females than in males, and showed positive associations with BMI and age. The OCP concentrations had inverted U-shaped associations with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and total cholesterol. Concentrations of β-hexachlorocyclohexane were significantly higher in patients with hypertension than in participants that were normotensive. OCP levels showed positive associations with uric acid, creatinine, and thyroid-stimulating hormone, but negative associations with free thyroxine. Participants with diabetes had significantly higher OCP levels than those without it. Principal component analysis suggested possible differences in disease manifestation depending on the composition of OCPs. These results suggest that OCPs might disturb renal transport and thyroid homeostasis. To our knowledge, the inverted U-shaped associations of heptachlor epoxide and endosulfan with cholesterol, the epidemiological associations of trans-nonachlor and endosulfan with thyroid hormones, and the association of p,p'-DDE with hyperuricemia have not been previously reported in general population. This is the first long-term study to show trends of 28 OCPs in serum and associations with various health indicators in Korea.

Effects of Organochlorine Pesticide Residues in Maternal Body on Infants

There are many organochlorine pollutants in the environment, which can be directly or indirectly exposed to by mothers, and as estrogen endocrine disruptors can cause damage to the lactation capacity of the mammary gland. In addition, because breast milk contains a lot of nutrients, it is the most important food source for new-born babies. If mothers are exposed to organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), the lipophilic organochlorine contaminants can accumulate in breast milk fat and be passed to the infant through breast milk. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate organochlorine contaminants in human milk to estimate the health risks of these contaminants to breastfed infants. In addition, toxic substances in the mother can also be passed to the fetus through the placenta, which is also something we need to pay attention to. This article introduces several types of OCPs, such as dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), methoxychlor (MXC), hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), endosulfan, chlordane, heptachlorand and hexachlorobenzene (HCB), mainly expounds their effects on women's lactation ability and infant health, and provides reference for maternal and infant health. In addition, some measures and methods for the control of organochlorine pollutants are also described here.

Pesticide Research on Environmental and Human Exposure and Risks in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Literature Review

On the African continent, ongoing agriculture intensification is accompanied by the increasing use of pesticides, associated with environmental and public health concerns. Using a systematic literature review, we aimed to map current geographical research hotspots and gaps around environmental and public health risks research of agriculture pesticides in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Studies were included that collected primary data on past and current-used agricultural pesticides and assessed their environmental occurrence, related knowledge, attitude and practice, human exposure, and environmental or public health risks between 2006 and 2021. We identified 391 articles covering 469 study sites in 37 countries in SSA. Five geographical research hotspots were identified: two in South Africa, two in East Africa, and one in West Africa. Despite its ban for agricultural use, organochlorine was the most studied pesticide group (60%; 86% of studies included DDT). Current-used pesticides in agriculture were studied in 54% of the study sites (including insecticides (92%), herbicides (44%), and fungicides (35%)). Environmental samples were collected in 67% of the studies (e.g., water, aquatic species, sediment, agricultural produce, and air). In 38% of the studies, human subjects were investigated. Only few studies had a longitudinal design or assessed pesticide's environmental risks; human biomarkers; dose-response in human subjects, including children and women; and interventions to reduce pesticide exposure. We established a research database that can help stakeholders to address research gaps, foster research collaboration between environmental and health dimensions, and work towards sustainable and safe agriculture systems in SSA.

Pesticide exposure and genotoxic effects as measured by DNA damage and human monitoring biomarkers

Occupational pesticides exposure rises health concern due to genotoxicity and accumulation of pesticides in human biological matrices. Continuous and sublethal exposure to pesticides had been associated with oxidative stress, mutagenic and cell death. Exposure to pesticides exhibits increased level of DNA damage even if no detectable amounts of pesticides are seen in biological matrices by binding specific areas in the DNA. This interferes normal body systems and mutation in gene encoding specific activities which may lead to a wide range of cancer. Presence of pesticides compounds in human biological matrices had been evident from various studies. However, detection methods are complex and inconsistent, making it difficult to compare and generalize findings. This article provides insight into genotoxic effects, presence of pesticides and their metabolites in human biological matrices and the resultant health effects as measured by DNA damage, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity inhibition and other biomarkers of pesticides exposure.

Berberine affords protection against oxidative stress and apoptotic damage in F1 generation of wistar rats following lactational exposure to chlorpyrifos

Chlorpyrifos (0,0-diethyl 0-(3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinyl)-phosphorothioate; (CPF)) is a widely used lipophilic organophosphorus insecticide that primarily manifests into central and peripheral nervous system toxicity. However, it is poorly investigated as a developmental neurotoxicant and thus remains less explored for pharmacological interventions as well. Berberine (BBR) is a benzylisoquinoline alkaloid, primarily found in the plants of Berberidaceae family, and is used for the synthesis of several bioactive derivatives. The goal of this study was to evaluate the CPF-induced neuronal damage through lactational route and analyze the neuroprotective efficacy of berberine (BBR), a potent antioxidant compound in the F1 generation. The environmentally relevant dose of CPF (3 mg/kg b.wt.) was administered via gavage to pregnant dams from postnatal day 1 to day 20 (PND 1-20). BBR (10 mg/kg b.wt.) was administered concurrently with CPF for the same duration as a co-treatment. Levels of reactive oxygen species, lipid peroxidation, membrane bound ATPases (Na⁺K⁺ATPase, Ca²⁺ATPase, and Mg²⁺ATPase), DNA damage, histomorphological alterations, cellular apoptosis were increased, and activities of glutathione reductase, endogenous antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, GST, and GR) were decreased in cerebellum and cerebrum regions of CPF exposed pups. CPF triggered neuronal apoptosis by upregulating Bax and caspase-3 and downregulating Bcl-2. Co-treatment of BBR significantly attenuated these effects of CPF signifying oxidative stress mediated chlorpyrifos induced neuronal apoptosis. Berberine treatment ameliorated the CPF-induced downregulation of Bcl-2, Bax translocation, and up-regulation of caspase-3 in F1 pups. Therefore, BBR owing to its multiple pharmacological properties can be further explored for its therapeutic potential as an alternative neuroprotective agent against lactational exposure of chlorpyrifos-induced developmental neurotoxicity.

Investigating the degradation behavior of Cypermethrin (CYP) and Chlorpyrifos (CPP) in peach orchard soils using organic/inorganic amendments

Reducing toxic effects of pesticide residues in agricultural soils through organic amendments is an eco-friendly technique. Cypermethrin (CYP) and Chlorpyrifos (CPP) are widely used pesticides in peach growing orchards in Swat valley of Pakistan. The aim of the current study was to investigate the degradation behavior of CYP and CPP in soil by the application of different combination of organic/inorganic amendments. A total of 36 soil samples were used in the current incubation study which was collected from 4 peach orchards in district Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Pakistan. Different amendments including urea, farm yard manure (FYM) and saprofil were applied alone and in various combinations. The initial concentrations of CYP and CPP in the tested soil was range from 0.94 to 4.8 mg kg⁻¹ and 0.024 to 4.12 to mg kg⁻¹. Soil samples were taken at 5, 15, 30 and 45 days after exposure to different treatments. The extraction of pesticides from soils was done through quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) extraction method. Soils amended with urea, FYM and saprofil individually and in combinations significantly reduced the concentrations of CYP and CPP. However, the concentration of CYP (24.6) and CPP (27.0) in soil showed higher reduction through the application of FYM. While the concentrations of CYP and CPP were declined with the 5, 15, 30 and 45 days intervals, however, reduction at day 30 and 45 was faster for CYP (16.7 to 8.46) than CPP (20.2 to 12.3). At day 5 and 15, the CYP (42.5 to 30.7) was slightly lower than CPP (42.9 to 32.7).The highest half-life value (t ½) of CYP was in control treatment (32 days) and the shortest was soil amended with FYM (18.6 days). While the longest half-life value (t ½) of CPP was maximum in control treatment (42 days) and the minimum was in FYM (22 days). Based on our findings, it was concluded that soil application of FYM is recommended for the degradation of CYP and CPP.

Chlorinated Paraffin Levels in Relation to Other Persistent Organic Pollutants Found in Pooled Human Milk Samples from Primiparous Mothers in 53 Countries

BACKGROUND

The current production and use of chlorinated paraffins (CPs) at >1 million tons/y likely exceeds the lifetime production of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). These persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are a concern to human health.

OBJECTIVES

The United Nations Environment Programme conducts global surveys of human milk samples from individual countries as a noninvasive method of investigating levels and trends in human exposures to POPs such as CPs. We measured CP concentrations and assessed their relation to other POPs in pooled samples collected during 2012-2019.

METHODS

We analyzed 57 official nationwide pooled milk samples from 53 countries on five continents (Africa, Central/South America, Asia, Europe, and Australia/Oceania). CP concentrations were further characterized by subgroups and compared with concentrations of 19 other POPs, including PCBs and a variety of pesticides.

RESULTS

CPs were detected in pooled samples from all 53 countries, with concentrations of 23-700 ng/g lipid. CPs accounted for 18-46% of the total summed POPs in human milk, second only to dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT). CP concentrations exceeded PCB concentrations in pooled samples from most countries.

DISCUSSION

The presence of CPs in all samples, including samples from isolated locations (e.g., Pacific Island countries), emphasizes the ubiquitous presence of these compounds, whereas differences in subgroup ratios indicate a delay in the shift toward nonregulated medium-chain CPs (MCCPs) for these regions. The predominance of MCCPs in samples from many countries suggests a need for regulation and research on health effects. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP7696.

Seasonal rainfall affects occurrence of organohalogen contaminants in tropical marine fishes and prawns from Zanzibar, Tanzania

Seasonal differences in precipitation may affect contaminant dynamics in tropical coastal regions due to terrestrial runoff of contaminants to the marine environment after the rainy seasons. To assess the effect of seasonal rainfall on occurrence of organohalogen contaminants in a coastal ecosystem, marine fishes and prawns were collected off the coast of Zanzibar, Tanzania in January and August 2018, representing pre- and post-rainy season, respectively. Samples were analyzed for organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), brominated flame retardants (BFRs), including polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and emerging BFRs, as well as the dietary descriptors stable isotopes of carbon (δ¹³C) and nitrogen (δ¹⁵N). Across all species and seasons, mean contaminant concentrations ranged from below limit of detection (LOD) to 129 ng/g lipid weight (lw) ΣPCBs; 5.6-336 ng/g lw ΣOCPs; and < LOD -22.1 ng/g lw ΣPBDEs. Most of the emerging BFRs were below LOD. Contaminant concentrations generally increased with higher pelagic carbon signal (δ¹³C) and higher relative trophic position (δ¹⁵N). The ratio of DDE/ΣDDTs in fishes and prawns was lower in August than in January, suggesting runoff of non-degraded DDT into the marine system during or after the seasonal rainfall. Contaminant patterns of OCPs and PCBs, and concentrations of BFRs, differed between seasons in all species. A higher relative concentration-increase in lower halogenated, more mobile PCB and PBDE congeners, compared to higher halogenated congeners with lower mobility, between January and August aligns with a signal and effect of terrestrial runoff following the rainy season.

Multiple persistent organic pollutants in mothers' breastmilk: Implications for infant dietary exposure and maternal thyroid hormone homeostasis in Uganda, East Africa

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are ubiquitous contaminants with adverse health effects in the ecosystem. One of such effects is endocrine disruption in humans and wildlife even at background exposure concentrations. This study assessed maternal breastmilk concentrations of POPs; brominated flame retardants (BFRs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/furans (PCDD/Fs), and the potential health risks posed to the nursing infants. We also evaluated the association of these POPs with total 3,3',5-triiodo-L-thyronine (T₃), L-thyroxine (T₄), and 3,3',5'-triiodo-L-thyronine (rT₃) levels measured in human breast milk. Thirty breastmilk samples were collected from Kampala, Uganda between August and December 2018. Hexabromobenzene was not detected while the maximum level of 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexabrombiphenyl was 64.7 pg/g lw. The median levels of total indicator PCBs, PBDEs, dioxin-like PCBs, and PCDD/Fs in the samples were 159 pg/g lw, 511 pg/g lw, 1.16 pg TEQ/g lw, and 0.4 pg TEQ/g lw, respectively. These levels were lower than those reported in other countries. Owing to their bio accumulative nature, PCBs -81, -169, and ∑PCDD/Fs increased with increase in maternal age. Estimated dietary intakes for dioxin-like PCBs and PCDD/Fs were lower than those reported elsewhere but were higher than the WHO tolerable daily intakes suggesting potential health risks to nursing infants. In adjusted single pollutant models, PCB-126, PCB-169, and ∑PCB_TEQ were negatively associated with T₃, while 1,2,3,4,5,7,8-HpCDF was positively associated with rT₃. Although these associations did not persist in multipollutant models, our findings suggest potential thyroid hormone disruption by POPs in mothers. This may reduce the levels of thyroid hormones transferred from the mother to the neonates and, hence, adversely influence infant growth. A temporal study with a bigger sample size is required to corroborate these findings.

Short- and medium-chain chlorinated paraffin exposure in South Germany: A total diet, meal and market basket study

Short- and medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs, MCCPs) are high-production volume industrial chemicals that have been previously reported to occur in food, packaging material and the environment. This study presents an assessment of dietary exposure for consumers in Southern Germany based on three different sampling approaches: (i) a classical market basket study (n = 154), (ii) the analysis of ready-made meals from restaurants (n = 10), and (iii) a total diet approach (n = 21). In 35% of the samples, CPs were below the method limit of quantification. Highest amounts of SCCPs and MCCPs were found especially in extra virgin olive oils (EVOOs) and fish. Homologue patterns indicated the partial removal of CPs during the refining of (other) edible oils. Ready-made meals contained only low amounts of CPs equal to estimations based on market basket samples. Total diet samples from the same hospital were generally comparable with each other regardless of diet, although vegetarian meal plans with high amounts of cheese and other dairy products contained up to an order of magnitude more CPs than other diets. Taking all approaches into account, calculated daily exposures for adults ranged 35-420 ng/kg bw/day for ΣSCCPs and 22-840 ng/kg bw/day for ΣMCCPs, which is between one and two orders of magnitude higher than the current dietary intake of polychlorinated biphenyls (indicator PCBs) in Europe.

Human exposure to organochlorine, pyrethroid and neonicotinoid pesticides: Comparison between urban and semi-urban regions of India

In developing countries, urban areas may be at greater risk of pesticide exposure compared to semi-urban agricultural regions. To investigate this, concentrations of selected pesticides were measured in 81 human milk samples collected in urban Kolkata and semi-urban Nadia in West Bengal, India. Three classes of pesticides were investigated - legacy organochlorines and emerging pyrethroids and neonicotinoids. The average concentration of the majority of the chemicals (DDT, its metabolites, HCH isomers, bifenthrin, endosulfan), showed a clear urban > semi-urban trend. Compared with previous measurements in other Indian cities and developing nations, current HCH and DDT concentrations in urban Kolkata were high. These chemicals were detected in 100% of the samples in both the urban and the semi-urban region. Also in both regions, the Estimated Daily Intake of DDTs, HCHs, aldrin, dieldrin and the pyrethroid bifenthrin for breastfed infants exceeded the Tolerable Daily Intake in a number of samples. Three pyrethroids were detected in human milk samples in India for the first time. This indicates a shift in the usage pattern of pesticides in India from organochlorines to pyrethroids. These findings may be used to drive targeted regulation of pesticides in developing countries with similar histories of pesticide use.

Formal maternal employment is associated with lower odds of exclusive breastfeeding by 14 weeks postpartum: a cross-sectional survey in Naivasha, Kenya

BACKGROUND

In many low- and middle-income countries, improvements in exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) have stalled, delaying reductions in child mortality. Maternal employment is a potential barrier to EBF.

OBJECTIVES

We evaluated associations between maternal employment and breastfeeding (BF) status. We compared formally and non-formally employed mothers in Naivasha, Kenya, where commercial floriculture and hospitality industries employ many women.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional survey among mothers (n = 1186) from September 2018 to October 2019 at 4 postpartum time points: at hospital discharge (n = 296) and at 6 wk (n = 298), 14 wk (n = 295), and 36 wk (to estimate BF at 24 wk; n = 297) postpartum. Mothers reported their BF status and reasons for EBF cessation. We used multivariable logistic regression models to test the association between formal maternal employment and 3 outcomes: early BF initiation (within 1 h of birth), EBF at each time point, and continued BF at 9 mo. Models were informed by a directed acyclic graph: a causal diagram used to characterize the relationship among variables that influence the independent (employment) and dependent (BF status) variables.

RESULTS

EBF did not differ by employment status at hospital discharge or at 6 wk postpartum. However, formally employed mothers were less likely than those not formally employed to report EBF at 14 wk (59.0% compared with 95.4%, respectively; AOR: 0.19; 95% CI: 0.10, 0.34) and at 24 wk (19.0% compared with 49.6%, respectively; AOR: 0.25; 95% CI: 0.14, 0.44). The prevalence of continued BF at 36 wk did not differ by group (98.1% for formally employed compared with 98.5% for non-formally employed women; AOR: 0.80; 95% CI: 0.10, 6.08). The primary reasons reported for early EBF cessation were returning to work (46.5%), introducing other foods based on the child's age (33.5%), or perceived milk insufficiency (13.7%).

CONCLUSIONS

As more women engage in formal employment in low- and middle-income countries, additional supports to help prolong the period of EBF may be beneficial for formally employed mothers and their children.

Agrochemicals Residues in Human Milk, Scientific Evidence or Overestimated Risk?

Background:

Exposures to agrochemicals can be directly through the handling of chemicals as well as indirectly when consuming food containing residues of them. Such exposure may affect the health of the population if accumulated in the human body, including in human milk.

Objective:

This literature review aims to assess the potential impact of agrochemical residues in human milk as a barrier to breastfeeding.

Methods:

The search followed PRISMA guidelines (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta Analyses), by selecting original articles published between 1995 and 2019, extracted from the free access databases PubMed, Scielo, Web of Sciences and Scopus using as keywords: agrochemicals, pesticides, breastfeeding, human milk, contamination and infant. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) were used as descriptors.

Results:

We selected 11 studies. Taking as inclusion criteria those most aligned with the objective of our study.

Conclusion:

The studies presented in this review ratified the benefits of breastfeeding compensating for the potential risks of agrochemical residues in human milk.

Levels and profiles of persistent organic pollutants in breast milk in China and their potential health risks to breastfed infants: A review

Although some persistent organic pollutants (POPs) were prohibited or limited in use several decades ago, they are still frequently detected in the human body. The purpose of this study was to understand the levels and profiles of POPs in breast milk in China and assess their potential health risks among breastfed infants under six months of age. A literature review focused on China was performed for studies published from 2001 to 2020. The POP levels in breast milk along with other important variables were extracted, and then the average individual POP levels in breast milk were estimated. This review summarises the distribution of traditional and new POPs, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), legacy brominated flame retardants (BFRs), perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), and chlorinated paraffins (CPs) and reported notably high levels of short-chain chlorinated paraffins and 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis (p-chlorophenyl) ethylene (p,p'-DDE) in breast milk. Although the levels of traditional POPs generally declined over time, especially p,p'-DDE and beta-hexachlorocyclohexane (β-HCH), women living in coastal areas, urban areas, and southern China still have a high body burden of certain POPs. In the present study, the estimated daily intake (EDI) of POPs through breastfeeding was used to evaluate the health risk for infants by comparing with acceptable levels. The findings suggested that infants born in coastal areas most likely suffered potential health risk from exposure to DDT, and the health risk of hexachlorobenzene (HCB) in infants in most nationwide regions remains a concern. More importantly, the EDI of PCBs for infants exceeds the safe limit on a national scale. Continuous surveillance of PCBs in breast milk is critical to evaluate the potential health effects on humans.

PCB153 reduces apoptosis in primary cultures of murine pituitary cells through the activation of NF-κB mediated by PI3K/Akt

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent pollutants involved in human tumorigenesis. PCB153 is a ubiquitous non-dioxin-like PCB with proliferative and anti-apoptotic effects. To explore the impact of PCB153 in the survival of pituitary cells, we exposed murine pituitary primary cells to PCB153 10 μM for 24 h. Apoptosis was assessed by RT-qPCR, Western-blot, immunoprecipitation, caspase activity, and immunofluorescence. We found that PCB153 decreased pituitary apoptosis through both the extrinsic and intrinsic pathways. PCB153 reduced the level of the pro-apoptotic protein p38-MAPK. Otherwise, PCB153 activated PI3K/Akt and Erk1/2 pathways and enhanced the expression and nuclear translocation of NF-κB. Cotreatments with specific inhibitors revealed that only PI3K/Akt changed the caspase-3 expression and NF-κB activation induced by PCB153. Also, PCB153 decreased the expression of the pro-apoptotic and pro-senescent cyclins p53 and p21. In summary, exposure to PCB153 leads to a downregulation of apoptosis in the pituitary driven by a PI3K/Akt-mediated activation of NF-κB.

Endocrine-Disrupting Organochlorine Pesticides in Human Breast Milk: Changes during Lactation

The aim of the present study was to assess infant safety associated with the occurrence of endocrine-disrupting organochlorine pesticides (OCP) in breast milk. Moreover, the association between pregnant mothers' dietary habits and these compounds levels in breast milk was investigated. Breast milk was collected at various stages of lactation. The samples were analyzed by the GC-MS method. The OCP concentrations ranged from < limit of detection (LOD) to 6.81 ng/g lipids. The highest OCP concentrations in breast milk occurred primarily within the first month of lactation, and decreased over the lactation period. It was found that the maternal consumption of certain food products-in particular pork, beef, poultry, eggs, and dairy products-could have affected the content of 1,1'-(2,2,2-Trichloroethane-1,1-diyl)bis(4-chlorobenzene), called DDT and its metabolites in the breast milk. The levels of beta-endosulfan were positively correlated with fish and poultry consumption. The redundancy analysis indicated that the diets of the pregnant women had an important impact on pesticide residues in the breast milk. There is a potential possibility of lowering the content of organochlorine compounds in breast milk by adhering to nutritional recommendations, e.g., avoiding the excessive consumption of fish and other raw food materials of unknown origin.

Preliminary study on the distribution of metals and persistent organic pollutants (POPs), including perfluoroalkylated acids (PFAS), in the aquatic environment near Morogoro, Tanzania, and the potential health risks for humans

Metals and persistent organic pollutants (POPs), including perfluoroalkylated acids (PFAS), are chemicals with a bioaccumulative potential that are detected in wildlife around the world. Although multiple studies reported the pollution of the aquatic environment with these chemicals, only limited data is present on the environmental pollution of Tanzania's aquatic environment and the possible risks for human health through consumption of contaminated fish or invertebrates. In the present study, we examined the distribution of metals and POPs in fish, invertebrates, sediment and water, collected at two different years at multiple important water reservoirs for domestic and industrial purposes, in the aquatic environment near Morogoro, Tanzania. Furthermore, we assessed the possible risks for human health through consumption of contaminated fish and shrimp. Metal concentrations in the water, sediment, invertebrates and fish appeared to increase in sites downstream from Morogoro city, likely caused by the presence of the city as pollution source. Significant differences in accumulated concentrations of metals and POPs were observed between species, which was hypothesized to be caused by dietary differences. Concentrations of multiple metals exceeded water and sediment quality guidelines values. Only Cu (2.8-17 μg/L) and Zn (<LOQ - 151 μg/L) in water exceeded chronic and acute effect values. Furthermore, PFOS, PBDE and HCB concentrations exceeded biota quality standard values, suggesting an ecological risk caused by these metals and POPs in the aquatic environment around Morogoro. Our results suggest that potential health effects through consumption of contaminated shrimp, and to minor extent fish, are expected. The daily consumption of these proteins (0.016-0.027 kg/capita/day) in Tanzania is similar or higher than the tolerable maximum consumption of shrimp for Cu (<0.02 kg/capita/day), Co (<0.02 kg/capita/day) and PFOS (<0.01 kg/capita/day). The outcome of this study could be used in future studies on metals and POPs in African aquatic ecosystems.

Pesticides in human milk collected from Jinhua, China: Levels, influencing factors and health risk assessment

In China, many studies have been carried out on pesticide residues in human milk, yet all of them are on organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and mostly focused on large, economically developed cities. In this study, 27 pesticides including OCPs, pyrethroid pesticides (PYRs) and organophosphate pesticides (OPPs) in human milk were investigated in Jinhua, an inland and medium sized city in China. Method based on QuEChERS extraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC-MS) determination was adopted to analyze the above pesticide residues. The influencing factors as well as the health risks were also evaluated. Results show that PYRs and OPPs in human milk samples were both undetectable. Regarding OCPs, the detection rate of hexachlorobenzene (HCB), β-hexachlorocyclohexane (β-HCH) and p,p'-dichlorodiphenyl-dichloroethylene (p,p'-DDE) were 83.6%, 36.4% and 58.2%, respectively, and their mean value were 29.4, 32.0 and 85.2 ng/g lipid, respectively. p,p'-DDE levels in human milk was significantly (p < 0.05) related to maternal age, but no association was detected between OCPs residues and other factors (living environment, dietary habit, living style, etc.), suggesting that OCPs in human milk in Jinhua were originated from nonspecific source. All estimated daily intake of pesticides (EDI_pesticides) by infants were under the guideline suggested by Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and China Ministry of Health (CMH). Yet 9% of EDIs_HCB and 16% of EDIs_HCHs exceeded the guideline recommended by Health Canada. The associations between DDE residues and the delivery way as well as HCBs residues and the birth weight were seemly significant, yet the significance disappeared when consider age or gestational age as a cofounder, indicating that OCPs residue in mother's body in Jinhua has no obvious influence on fetus development and the delivery way.

Sources and health risks of PM2.5-bound polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in a North China rural area

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) are typical persistent organic pollutants (POPs), which have high toxicity, bioaccumulation and long-distance transfer capability. Daily variation, sources of PCBs and OCPs in PM_2.5 are rarely explored in polluted rural area. Here, the sources and health risks of the PCBs and OCPs were evaluated for 48 PM_2.5 samples collected in winter 2017 in Wangdu, a heavy polluted rural area in the North China Plain. The average diurnal and nocturnal concentrations of Σ₁₈PCBs and Σ₁₅OCPs were 1.74-24.37 and 1.77-100.49, 11.67-408.81 and 16.89-865.60 pg/m³, respectively. Hexa-CBs and penta-CBs accounted for higher proportions (29.0% and 33.6%) of clean and polluted samples, respectively. Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) was the dominant contributor to OCPs with an average concentration of 116.17 pg/m³. Hexachlorocyclohexane (ΣHCHs) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (ΣDDTs) were the other two main classes in OCPs with the average concentrations of 4.33 and 15.89 pg/m³, respectively. β-HCH and p,p'-DDE were the main degradation products of HCHs and DDTs, respectively. The principal component analysis and characteristic ratio method indicated both waste incineration and industrial activities were the main sources of PCBs, contributing 76.8% and 12.7%, respectively. The loadings of OCPs were attributed to their application characteristics and the characteristic ratio method reflected a current or past use of OCPs. Health risk assessment showed that the respiratory exposure quantity of doxin-like PCBs (DL-PCBs) and the lifetime cancer risk from airborne OCPs exposure was negligible, while the other exposure modes may pose a risk to human bodies.

Pesticide residues in breast milk and the associated risk assessment: A review focused on China

This review aims to provide an overview of studies on pesticide residues in breast milk in China and the related health risk to mother and infants. Results showed that the investigations of breast milk covered 22 provincial administrative regions of China. Beijing and some densely populated and economically developed areas have most publications. The study frequency was followed the order of DDTs>HCHs>HCB > ∑Drins,∑Chlordane. While the residue levels were ranked as DDTs, HCHs > ∑Drins>HCB > ∑Chlordane. The highest residue levels of DDTs and HCHs in breast milk were found in 1980s (~10,000 ng/g lipid), then experienced a sharp decrease in 1990s (~1000-2000 ng/g lipid). In 2000s and 2010s, DDTs, and HCHs residue still showed a decreasing trend. Spatially, people located in urban area, coastal areas and southern China tend to have higher pesticide residues as compared to rural area, inland area and northern China, respectively. Other factors such as dietary habit, living environment, the maternal age, the parity, body mass index, lactation period, menstruation characteristics as well as hormonal drug intake and infertility treatment will also affect the pesticide residues in breast milk of Chinese people. According to the estimated daily ingestion (EDI) of breast milk, the average health risk for infants were generally exceeded the acceptable level before 2006, while after that, most EDI values were within the standard. Body burden of pesticides in mother can also be evaluated by using the residue data in breast milk, but no relevant guidelines were available. Other knowledge gap included 1) for some provinces with large consumption of pesticides or located in remote and plateau areas, there are few/no studies available; 2) current study on pesticide residues in breast milk in China were only focused on organochlorine pesticides, research on current used pesticides (such as pyrethroids, organophosphorus, carbamate) were necessary in the future.

Human milk contamination by nine organochlorine pesticide residues (OCPs)

Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) are widely used around the world as insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, nematicides, and rodenticides. Despite banned in Brazil, the usage remains occurring in many countries. The persistence and extreme mobility of OCPs contribute to the contamination of the environment and the human body. The OCPs bioaccumulation in adipose tissue triggers the excretion into human milk during breastfeeding. Hence, the present study determined eighteen OCPs residues in the breast milk of mothers from the Western Region of Bahia State, Brazil. Nine different residue species were found, including beta-Hexachlorocyclohexane (9.24 ± 0.00 ng g^-1 fat), delta- Hexachlorocyclohexane (22.15 ± 10.48 ng g^-1 fat), Heptachlor (58.08 ± 74.13 ng g^-1 fat), Aldrin (142.65 ± 50.65 ng g^-1 fat), Dieldrin (774.62 ± 472.68 ng g^-1 fat), Endosulfan I (408.44 ± 245.51 ng g^-1 fat), Dichloro-diphenyl-dichloro-ethylene (29.17 ± 22.42 ng g^-1 fat), Dichloro-diphenyl-trichloro-ethane (28.87 ± 0.00 ng g^-1 fat) and Methoxychlor (1699.67 ± 797.43 ng g^-1 fat). The Methoxychlor presence in all samples may reveal a recent exposure, while Dieldrin and Endosulfan I analyses can point to distant past exposure.

Poly- and perfluoroalkyl substance concentrations in human breast milk and their associations with postnatal infant growth

Perfluoroalkyl carboxylates (PFCAs) and perfluoroalkyl sulfonates are widespread in human breast milk. However, the occurrence of chlorinated polyfluorinated ether sulfonates (Cl-PFESAs) and fluorotelomer alcohols (FTOHs) in breast milk and their effects on postnatal growth of infants through breast milk consumption are still not well known. This study characterized the occurrence of 16 poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in breast milk from 174 women in Hangzhou, China and investigated the association between lactation exposure to these PFASs through breast milk consumption and the postnatal growth of infants. Our results showed that perfluorooctanoate (mean 87 pg/mL) was the predominant PFAS in breast milk, followed by perfluorohexanoate (41 pg/mL), 6:2 Cl-PFESA (28 pg/mL), and perfluorooctane sulfonate (25 pg/mL). The occurrence and levels of Cl-PFESAs in Chinese breast milk were firstly reported in the current study. The 8:2 and 10:2 FTOH were detected in half of breast milk samples, with the mean concentration of 9.0 pg/mL and 10 pg/mL, respectively. Breast milk concentrations of C₈-C₁₀ PFCAs and 6:2 Cl-PFESA were negatively correlated with infant's length gain rate. Exposed to higher levels of 8:2 FTOH were correlated with decreased infant's weight gain rate. Daily intakes of PFASs via the consumption of breast milk were calculated for infants. Overall, this study firstly demonstrated that lactation exposure to C₈-C₁₀ PFCAs, 8:2 FTOH, and 6:2 Cl-PFESA through breast milk consumption may affect the postnatal growth of infants.

Screening of human health risk to infants associated with the polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) levels in human milk from Punjab Province, Pakistan

This study assessed the polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) levels in human milk and its associated health risk to infants from rural and urban settings of five districts of Punjab Province, Pakistan. The ∑₃₄PCB concentrations ranged from 30.9 to 68.3 ng g^-1 on lipid weight (l.w.) basis. The ∑₈DL-PCB concentrations were ranged from 0.29 to 1.35 ng g^-1 l.w., (mean 6.2 ± 8.7 ng g^-1 l.w.), with toxicity equivalent to polychlorinated dibenzodioxins (PCDDs) ranging from 8.58 × 10^-6 to 0.05 ng TEQ g^-1 l.w. The spatial trend of PCB levels in human milk revealed higher bioaccumulative levels for urban mothers as compared with rural counterparts. The estimated daily intake (EDI) values of DL-PCBs to infants through trans-mammary transfer were considerably higher than tolerable daily intake limits established by WHO (i.e., 1-4 pg TEQ kg^-1 bw) and other globally recognized organizations. Similarly, the hazard quotient values for TEQ ∑₈DL-PCBs (range 1.21 to 79.87) were far above the benchmark value of 1 at all the sampling sites, indicating the high levels of adverse health risks to infants in the region through breast milk consumption. The ∑₃₄PCB levels were found to be negatively correlated with mother' age (r = -0.31; p = 0.02), parity (r = - 0.85; p = 0.001), and infant' birth weight (r = - 0.73; p = 0.01). The present study suggests undertaking comprehensive public health risk assessment studies and firm regulatory measures to safeguard human health risks.

Restoring HCHs polluted land as one of the priority activities during the UN-International Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030): A call for global action

The United Nations General Assembly has recently declared 2021-2030 as the 'International Decade on Ecosystem Restoration' for facilitating the restoration of degraded and destroyed terrestrial and marine systems for regaining biodiversity and ecosystem services, creating job opportunities and also to fight against climate change. One of the prime focus is the restoration of ~350 mha of degraded land across the world for attaining the UN-Sustainable Development Goals. Pesticides are one of the major causes of land pollution and hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs, including technical-HCH and γ-HCH) is one of the widely used organochlorine pesticides during the past seven decades before α-, β-, and γ-HCH was listed in the Stockholm Convention in 2009. The widespread pollution of HCHs has been reported from every sphere of the environment and ~7 Mt of HCHs residues have been dumped worldwide near the production sites. HCHs isomers have higher volatility, water solubility and long-range atmospheric transport ability which further facilitates its entry into various environmental compartments. Therefore, the restoration and management of HCHs polluted land is urgently required. Despite various pilot-scale studies have been reported for the remediation of HCHs polluted land, they are not successfully established under the field conditions. This is mainly due to the high concentration of HCHs residues in the contaminated soil and also due to its toxicity and highly persistent nature, which increases the complexity of the onsite remediation. Here we provide a novel approach i.e. sequential and integrated remediation approach (SIRA) for the restoration of HCHs contaminated land by the integrated use of agroresidues along with the application of HCHs degrading microorganisms and chemical amendments followed by the plant-based clean-up techniques using grasses, herbs, shrubs and trees in a sequential manner. SIRA provides cost effective solution with enhanced ecological and socioeconomic benefits for the sustainable restoration of HCHs contaminated sites.

Risk assessment of organochlorine pesticides in drinking water source of the Yangtze River

Organochlorine pesticides have been banned for many years, but the residual trace amount of organochlorine in water may still pose ecotoxicological risk. Meanwhile, the potential risk of organochlorine pesticides released from sediments, especially into drinking water sources, is receiving increasing attention. The present study assessed the pollution and potential risk of drinking water sources along the midstream and downstream Yangtze River. Residues of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in water, suspended particle matter (SPM), and sediment were evaluated with isotope dilution HRGC/HRMS. The results indicated that OCPs in water, SPM, and sediment ranged in 0.52-92.97 ng/L, 0.10-4.10 ng/L, and 0.038-11.36 ng/g, respectively. The predominant OCPs in water, SPM, and sediment were β-HCH, p,p'-DDE and PeCB. At site Y1, 8, 13, 18, β-HCH has a higher proportion in sediment samples, while, α-HCH has a higher proportion in SPM samples. The industrial use of HCHs in the history was the main HCHs source for most water and sediment samples, which indicated an absence of fresh inputs of industrial HCHs. Meanwhile, the abundance of p,p'-DDE in water, sediment and SPM samples could be attributed to long-term aerobic degradation of DDTs. The values of ffsw of HCHs, DDTs and PeCB indicate the transfer from water to sediment. Risk assessment showed that HCHs and DDTs posed low ecotoxicological risk to the Yangtze River.

QuEChERS extraction coupled to GC-MS for a fast determination of polychlorinated biphenyls in breast milk from Polish women

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in breast milk has been determined. Therefore, it was necessary to develop and adapt an analytical method to analyze PCB compounds. The whole procedure was applied to 31 breast milk samples, which were collected from Polish mothers. The QuEChERS method was optimized as a fast and cheap sample preparation method. The procedure allowed us to obtain recovery values between 96.46% and 119.98% with acceptable relative standard deviations (3.36-12.71%). Gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used for final determination. The method was validated using parameters such as linearity, limit of detection and quantification, intra-day precision, and reproducibility. The mean concentration of ∑iPCBs in this study was 30.94 ng/g of lipid. Assigned daily intake of PCBs was lower than the tolerable daily intake, which shows that the analyzed milk is safe to the infants. However, the monitoring of PCBs in milk is still important, and the QuEChERS method with GC-MS can be an effective tool for tracking organic impurities in breast milk.

Assessment of Antibiotic and Pesticides Residues in Breast Milk of Syrian Refugee Lactating Mothers

Occupational exposures and current diet are both sources of environmental contaminants that can be transferred in the mother’s body. These chemicals can definitely penetrate to the developing foetus and the nursing infant from contaminated breast milk during the lactation period. Nowadays, one of the special interests is the exposure of new-borns to toxic chemicals such as pesticides and antibiotics reported in human milk due to their potential harms, especially developmental deficits in early childhood. The aim of our current study was to assess the occurrence of pesticide residues and antibiotic residues contamination in breast milk collected from Syrian refugee lactating mothers residing in North Lebanon Camps. A total of 120 breast milk samples (40 in triplicate) were collected from camps in Akkar, North Lebanon using an electrical pump. A survey was administrated to determine socio-demographic characteristics, dietary and smoking habits and medical history of participating lactating mothers. The milk samples were analysed for the presence of antibiotic residues and pesticide residues using liquid and gas chromatography tandem mass spectroscopy (LC-MS/MS) and Gas Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). This study reported the absence of antibiotic residues in 96.66% of our samples (n = 120) and the presence of pesticides residues in only 5% of our total breast milk sample. Our results considered the breast milk collected from Syrian refugee lactating mothers as safe from chemical contamination. It is worth conducting more studies on other Syrian refugee camps to test the effect of camp living conditions on breast milk safety.

Background levels of dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dlPCBs), polychlorinated, polybrominated and mixed halogenated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs, PBDD/Fs & PXDD/Fs) in sera of pregnant women in Accra, Ghana

Human exposure data on dioxins and dioxin-like compounds (DLCs) in Ghana are limited. Based on health risks associated with dioxins and DLCs, the impact of maternal body burdens on foetal exposure is significant. This is the first study that assesses polychlorinated, polybrominated and mixed halogenated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs, PBDD/Fs and PXDD/Fs), and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dlPCBs) in sera of primiparous Ghanaians. Our sample selection includes 34 participants from two municipalities (Accra and Tema), and explores contributions from environmental and dietary exposures using questionnaire data. Sample preparation involved C₁₈ solid phase extraction, purification with acidified silica and lipid removal cartridges, and detection with gas chromatography-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization-tandem mass spectrometry. The calculated average toxic equivalent concentration was 5.3 pg TEQ/g lw, with contributions from dlPCBs (1.25 pg TEQ/g lw), PCDD/Fs (3.10 pg TEQ/g lw), PBDD/Fs (0.49 pg TEQ/g lw) and PXDD/Fs (0.50 pg TEQ/g lw). The calculated total TEQ concentration was lower than background TEQ concentrations reported in sera of pregnant women globally. Positive correlations were obtained for total dioxins and DLC concentrations with age and Body Mass Index (BMI). Dietary intake of seafood and dairy products had a strong influence on PCDD/F and dlPCB concentrations. Statistically significant differences were observed for dioxins and DLCs in participants from Accra (in close proximity to Agbogbloshie e-waste site) and Tema. Given the significant TEQ contribution of PBDD/Fs and PXDD/Fs (~20%), it is essential to explore these classes of dioxins and DLCs in future biomonitoring studies as they may pose health risks, and add extra diagnostic information in source exposure investigations.

Gut microbiota: An underestimated and unintended recipient for pesticide-induced toxicity

Pesticide pollution residues have become increasingly common health hazards over the last several decades because of the wide use of pesticides. The gastrointestinal tract is the first physical and biological barrier to contaminated food and is therefore the first exposure site. Interestingly, a number of studies have shown that the gut microbiota plays a key role in the toxicity of pesticides and has a profound relationship with environmental animal and human health. For instance, intake of the pesticide of chlorpyrifos can promote obesity and insulin resistance through influencing gut and gut microbiota of mice. In this review, we discussed the possible effects of different kinds of widely used pesticides on the gut microbiota in different experimental models and analyzed their possible subsequent effects on the health of the host. More and more studies indicated that the gut microbiota of animals played a very important role in pesticides-induced toxicity, suggesting that gut micriobita was also the unintended recipient of pesticides. We hope that more attention can focus on the relationship between pesticides, gut microbiota and environmental health risk assessment in near future.

Residue Levels of Organochlorine Pesticides in Breast Milk and Its Associations with Cord Blood Thyroid Hormones and the Offspring's Neurodevelopment

Previous studies have demonstrated that organochlorine pesticide (OCP) exposure has a negative impact on the neurological function of infants. Only a few reports have investigated the thyroid and growth hormones and their relationship to neurodevelopment after human exposure to OCPs, especially in the case of infants. Our goal was to determine whether breastmilk OCP residues were associated with negative impacts and/or alterations in the neurodevelopment of infants among specific southern Taiwanese mother–breastfed infant pairs. Our subjects (n = 55 pairs) were recruited from southern Taiwan between 2007 and 2010. The thyroid and growth hormone levels in the cord blood samples collected after childbirth were determined. The breastmilk was gathered within one month after childbirth for the determination of OCP levels using a high-resolution gas chromatograph with mass spectrometry, and the neurodevelopment of 10–12-month-old infants was examined using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development^®, Third Edition (Bayley-III). It was observed that 4,4′-dichlorodiphenyl-dichloroethylene (4,4′-DDE) (mean = 10.3 ng/g lipid) was the most predominant OCP compound in the breastmilk samples. At higher concentrations (>75th percentile), specific OCPs were associated with significantly lower levels of thyroid and growth hormones than at lower concentrations (<75th percentile). Significantly higher odds ratios (ORs) were observed for binary cognitive (OR = 8.09, p = 0.025 for 4,4′-DDT), language (OR = 11.9, p = 0.013 for 4,4′-DDT) and social–emotional (OR = 6.06, p = 0.01 for trans-CHL) composite scores for specific OCPs belonging to the lower exposure group as compared to the higher OCP exposure group. The five domain Bayley-III infant neurodevelopment outcomes were negatively associated with specific OCPs in the breast milk samples based on the redundancy analysis (RDA) test. Bayley-III scales, which include cognitive, language, motor, social-emotional, and adaptive behavior scales, could be predicted by 4,4′-DDT, endrin, endosulfan I, heptachlor, or heptachlor epoxide using multivariate linear regression models with adjustment for maternal age, pre-pregnant BMI, parity, and infant gender. In conclusion, although our study showed that postnatal exposure to breast milk OCPs may be associated with infant neurodevelopmental outcomes and that prenatal exposure, if extrapolated from breastmilk levels, is associated with changes in thyroid and growth hormones that may have effects on neurodevelopment, these associations are only suggestive; thus, further studies are recommended for confirmation.

Prenatal exposure to persistent organic pollutants in Northern Tanzania and their distribution between breast milk, maternal blood, placenta and cord blood

Human exposure to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) begins during pregnancy and may cause adverse health effects in the fetus or later in life. The present study aimed to assess prenatal POPs exposure to Tanzanian infants and evaluate the distribution of POPs between breast milk, maternal blood, placenta and cord blood. For assessment of prenatal exposure, 48 maternal blood samples from Mount Meru Regional Referral Hospital (MMRRH), Arusha Tanzania, were analyzed for organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), brominated flame retardants (BFRs), dioxin-like (DL) activity and perfluorinated alkyl substances (PFASs). For evaluation of POPs distribution between maternal/infant compartments, breast milk, placenta and cord blood corresponding to the maternal blood were analyzed for OCPs, PCBs and BFRs. In maternal blood, p,p´- DDE was detected in 100% of the samples ranging between 29 and 1890 ng/g lipid weight (lw). PCB-153 was the only PCB detected in maternal blood, with detection rate of 29% and concentrations up to 116 ng/g lw. BDE-47 was detected in 65% of the maternal blood samples, ranging between <LOD and 83.2 ng/g lw. DL activity was measured using Dioxin Responsive CALUX® bioassay. The DL activity was above LOQ in 92% of the samples, ranging from <LOQ to 114 pg CALUX TEQ/g lw. PFASs was dominated by PFOS and PFOA, however, the concentrations were low (range ∑PFASs 0.18-3.14 ng/mL). p,p´-DDE was detected in 100% of the breast milk, placenta and cord blood samples and the concentrations were strongly correlated (r = 0.89-0.98) between all compartments. Maternal blood (MB) had significantly lower p,p´-DDE concentrations (ng/g lw) than cord blood (CB) and breast milk (BM). The median CB/MB ratio was 1.3 and median MB/BM ratio was 0.8. p,p´-DDE concentrations in breast milk and cord blood did not show significant difference and median CB/BM ratio was 1. In addition, the relative p,p`-DDE transfer from maternal blood to breast milk and to cord blood increased when p,p`-DDE concentrations in maternal blood increased. This study shows that Tanzanian infants are exposed to a wide range of POPs during fetal life, which raise concerns for potential health effects. In addition, this study found that maternal blood concentrations may lead to underestimation of prenatal exposure, while breast milk collected close to delivery may be a more suitable indicator of prenatal exposure.

Pesticide Use Practices in Root, Tuber, and Banana Crops by Smallholder Farmers in Rwanda and Burundi

Misuse and poor handling of chemical pesticides in agriculture is hazardous to the health of farmers, consumers, and to the environment. We studied the pest and disease management practices and the type of pesticides used in four root, tuber, and banana (RTB) crops in Rwanda and Burundi through in-depth interviews with a total of 811 smallholder farmers. No chemical pesticides were used in banana in either Rwanda and Burundi, whereas the use of insecticides and fungicides in potato was quite frequent. Nearly all insecticides and about one third of the fungicides used are moderately hazardous. Personal protective equipment was used by less than a half of the interviewed farmers in both countries. Reported cases of death due to self- or accidental-poisoning among humans and domestic animals in the previous 12 months were substantial in both countries. Training of farmers and agrochemical retailers in safe use of pesticide and handling and, use of integrated pest management approaches to reduce pest and disease damage is recommended.

Early-life exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals associates with childhood obesity

Increasing prevalence of childhood obesity poses threats to the global health burden. Because this rising prevalence cannot be fully explained by traditional risk factors such as unhealthy diet and physical inactivity, early-life exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) is recognized as emerging novel risk factors for childhood obesity. EDCs can disrupt the hormone-mediated metabolic pathways, affect children's growth and mediate the development of childhood obesity. Many organic pollutants are recently classified to be EDCs. In this review, we summarized the epidemiological and laboratory evidence related to EDCs and childhood obesity, and discussed the possible mechanisms underpinning childhood obesity and early-life exposure to non-persistent organic pollutants (phthalates, bisphenol A, triclosan) and persistent organic pollutants (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, polychlorinated biphenyls, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). Understanding the relationship between EDCs and childhood obesity helps to raise public awareness and formulate public health policy to protect the youth from exposure to the harmful effects of EDCs.

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

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^-1 lipid wt.) than Ludhiana (PCBs: 24.2; DDTs; 415.3; HCHs; 35.5 ng g^-1 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^-1 lipid wt. with a half-life (Tdec_1/2) of 3.25 years over a span of 15 years. Similarly, HCH levels have decreased from 8609 to 46.6 ng g^-1 in this duration with Tdec_1/2 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.

Health-Relevant Phenotypes in the Offspring of Mice Given CAR Activators Prior to Pregnancy

Hepatic induction in response to drugs and environmental chemicals affects drug therapies and energy metabolism. We investigated whether the induction is transmitted to the offspring. We injected 3-day- and 6-week-old F0 female mice with TCPOBOP, an activator of the nuclear receptor constitutive androstane receptor (CAR, NR1I3), and mated them 1-6 weeks afterward. We detected in the offspring long-lasting alterations of CAR-mediated drug disposition, energy metabolism, and lipid profile. The transmission to the first filial generation (F1) was mediated by TCPOBOP transfer from the F0 adipose tissue via milk, as revealed by embryo transfer, crossfostering experiments, and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses. The important environmental pollutant PCB153 activated CAR in the F1 generation in a manner similar to TCPOBOP. Our findings indicate that chemicals accumulating and persisting in adipose tissue may exert liver-mediated, health-relevant effects on F1 offspring simply via physical transmission in milk. Such effects may occur even if treatment has been terminated far ahead of conception. This should be considered in assessing developmental toxicity and in the long-term follow-up of offspring of mothers exposed to both approved and investigational drugs, and to chemicals with known or suspected accumulation in adipose tissue.