Levels of beta-HCH, HCB, p,p'-DDE, p,p'-DDT and PCBs in human milk from a continental town in Croatia, Yugoslavia

Abstract

Concentrations of beta-HCH, HCB, p,p'-DDE, p,p'-DDT and PCBs were determined by gas chromatography in 50 human milk samples collected from the general population during 1981/1982 in a continental town in Croatia (Yugoslavia). The samples were collected between one and 22 weeks after delivery from mothers breast-feeding one child only. The mothers' age was 18 to 31 years, and they were nursing their first or second child. All 50 samples contained beta-HCH, HCB, p,p'-DDE and PCBs, whereas p,p'-DDT was present in 37 samples. The concentrations of beta-HCH, HCB, p,p'-DDE, p,p'-DDT and PCBs expressed on a whole milk basis were (median in microgram/kg): 11, 7.1, 67, 7.3 and 22 respectively, and expressed on a fat basis (median in mg/kg): 0.28, 0.21, 1.9, 0.18 and 0.62 respectively. The fat content was 3.7% (median). PCBs were present in a mixture containing penta-, hexa- and heptachlorobiphenyls.