Levels of pesticide residues in Egyptian human milk samples and infant dietary intake

Contamination of human milk with residues of organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls was studied in a series of investigations concerned with the monitoring of these chemicals in Egyptian food. The DDT complex was the most frequently found pesticide, followed by total hexachlorocyclohexane isomers. Heptachlor and its epoxide, dieldrin, hexachlorobenzene, and oxychlordane were also found but less frequently. Estimated dietary intakes (EDIs) of these contaminants by the breast-fed infants were compared to acceptable daily intakes (ADIs). EDIs of DDT complex, lindane (gamma-HCH), heptachlor + heptachlor epoxide, and oxychlordane were below ADIs. Dieldrin EDI exceeded the acceptable daily intake.