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. 2019 Sep 3;17(2):817-825.
doi: 10.1007/s40201-019-00398-3. eCollection 2019 Dec.

Evaluation of chlorpyrifos residue in breast milk and its metabolite in urine of mothers and their infants feeding exclusively by breast milk in north of Iran

Masoud Binesh Brahmand  1 , Masud Yunesian  1   2 , Ramin Nabizadeh  1 , Simin Nasseri  1   3 , Mahmood Alimohammadi  1 , Noushin Rastkari  4
Affiliations

Evaluation of chlorpyrifos residue in breast milk and its metabolite in urine of mothers and their infants feeding exclusively by breast milk in north of Iran

Masoud Binesh Brahmand et al. J Environ Health Sci Eng. .

Abstract

Background: The most common method of combating insects in low-income communities and developing countries, is the use of insecticides. The use of organophosphate insecticides is increasing due to their low prices and availability on the market. Chlorpyrifos is a medium-risk insecticide for human. The widespread use of organophosphorus insecticides, especially chlorpyrifos, in residential homes has undoubtedly created many health concerns. Babies have a high sensitivity to pesticides and environmental contaminants because of their evolutionary status. On the other hand, the main source of infants' exposure who are breast-fed exclusively to environmental pollutants is through breast milk and oral contact with objects that are covered with dust and particles.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the concentration of chlorpyrifos in breast milk and its metabolite in urine samples of mothers and their under six months infants, feeding exclusively by breast milk in north of Iran have been investigated. The demographic data was collected through interviewing with selected mothers and completion of prepared data collecting forms. The data were statistically analyzed to investigate the relationships between exposure of mothers and their infants to chlorpyrifos.

Results: The mean concentration of chlorpyrifos and its metabolite in mothers' urine and milk samples and infant's urines were 1.3 ± 0.6, 2.1 ± 1.4 and 1.4 ± 0.7 μg/L, respectively. Also, the mean concentration of chlorpyrifos in the dust on the house floors was73.4 ± 49 ng/g. There are good correlations between the mean values of chlorpyrifos concentrations and its metabolite in mother's milk and urine (r = 0.872, p = 0.001), and the mother's milk and infant's urine (r = 0.722, p = 0.001). Also, there was a significant correlation between the concentration of chlorpyrifos in floor dust and its metabolites in the infant's urine (r = 0.554, p = 0.001).

Conclusion: Our study suggests that the infants are the recipient of concentrated forms of chlorpyrifos residues through breast milk and house dust and it is quite well known that OP pesticides are toxic and have different kinds of adverse health effects. However, further research needs to be done to determine what these chemicals are doing to our children.

Keywords: Breast milk; Chlorpyrifos; Household insecticide; Iran; Urine.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interestThe authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
The map of Iran, the location of Gilan province, and Rasht city
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
The concentrations of chlorpyrifos in breast milks compared to mothers’ urines
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
The concentrations of chlorpyrifos in breast milks compared to infants’ urines
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Correlation between the concentration of chlorpyrifos in breast milk, the urine of mothers and infants, and the dust of the household floor
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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