Levels and trends of chlorinated hydrocarbon contaminants in the breast milk of Canadian women

Abstract

A total of 210 breast milk samples from 5 different regions across Canada were analyzed for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), hexachloro‐l,3‐butadiene, ten chlorinated benzenes, two chlorinated naphthalenes, Mirex, photomirex, α, ß and γ hexachlorocyclohexane, α and γ chlordane, oxychlordane, trans‐nonachlor, p,p'‐DDT and some analogs, heptachlor epoxide, dieldrin and octachlorostyrene. There was no evidence for the presence of hexachloro‐1,3‐butadiene, Mirex, octachlorostyrene, chlorinated naphthalenes or tetrachlorobenzenes in the breast milk. Residues 1of other compounds were found in all samples, except 1, 2‐dichlorobenzene, γ hexachlorocyclohexane, α and γ chlordane and p,p'‐TDE, which were less frequently observed, while o,p'‐DDT was only found in approximately one quarter of all samples. Since 1967, a steady decline in heptachlor epoxide, dieldrin and p,p'‐DDT and related residues is apparent. At the same time however, there is an apparent increase in PCB residue levels since 1970. This apparent increase should be viewed with some caution, since much of this increase might be attributed to better sampling and analytical techniques. Residue levels of breast milk in Canada were similar to those found in other industrial nations. Regional differences in residue levels appeared to be minimal.