Some factors related to sum-DDT levels in Ugandan mothers' breast milk
Abstract
A total of 143 samples of Ugandan mothers' breast milk were analysed by gas chromatography for the presence and levels of DDT residues. The relationship between the level of DDT in the milk and the mother's age, parity, dietary habits, and place of usual residence were studied.
DDT levels in the milk were not significantly related to the mother's age. Mothers nursing their first child had a significantly higher mean DDT level in their milk than those nursing their second child. Furthermore, mothers who resided in the urban area had a significantly higher mean DDT level in their milk than those who resided in the rural area. No statistically significant differences were observed in the mean levels of DDT in the milk samples of vegetarian and non-vegetarian mothers.
From the present findings, it could be concluded that milk from mothers nursing the first child and residing in an urban area is a good bioindicator for assessing exposure of lactacting mothers to DDT in Uganda.
URI
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S003335069800290Xhttp://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/36208
Citation
F Ejobi, LW Kanja, MN Kyule et al (1998). Some factors related to sum-DDT levels in Ugandan mothers' breast milk. Public Health Volume 112, Issue 6, November 1998, Pages 425–427Publisher
Centre for Environmental Research, Institute for Biogeography, University of Saarland, PO Box 151150, D-66041 Saarbruecken, Germany Department of Public Health and Pharmacology, University of Nairobi, PO Box 29053, Nairobi, Kenya Department of Veterinary Parasitology and Microbiology, Makerere University, PO Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda Department of Public Health and Preventative Medicine, Makerere University, PO Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda