Pesticide Residues in Mother’s Milk - Pesticides: Evaluation of Environmental Pollution - page 546

Endosulfan : Endosulfan, an organochlorine insecticide of the cyclodiene subgroup, acts
as a poison to a wide variety of insects and mites on contact and as a stomach poison
upon ingestion. Technical-grade endosulfan contains 94% α- and β-endosulfan. The α- and
β-isomers are present in the ratio of 7:3, respectively (Cerrillo et al. 2005). The α-isomer has
been shown to be three times more toxic than the β-isomer. Endosulfan sulfate, a reaction
product found in technical-grade endosulfan as a result of oxidation, is considered to be
equally toxic and more persistent than the parent compound (Shetty et al. 2000; Pathak
et al. 2008).
Hexachlorobenzene : Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) is a fungicide mainly recommended for
seed treatment. Therefore, the presence of HCB in human milk samples might be due to
the contamination from other pesticide formulations present as an impurity and/or as a
by-product of various chlorination processes and combustion of municipal solid waste
incinerators and industrial processes (Sonawane 1995; Devanathan et al. 2009). HCB binds
strongly to soil particles as well as to sediment and builds up in plants when it is present
in the soil.

17.3 Sources of Pesticide Residues in Mother's Milk
Human exposure to OCPs can be through various pathways (Figure 17.1) such as dietary
intake, occupational exposure via dust, air, consumer products, dermal absorption, and
inhalation. It could also be transferred from mother to infant via breast milk and umbilical
cord blood (Suzuki et al. 2005).
Sources of pesticide residues in mother's milk are mainly from the pesticides being
used in agricultural tracts that are released into the environment and come in human
contact directly or indirectly. Organohalogen compounds may enter the human body via

Inhalation and dermal
absorption (Air, dust &
contact with consumer
product)

Dietary exposures
(Fish, meat, poultry
eggs, dairy products,
vegetables and fruits)

Soil, air and water

Human milk

Agricultural field

FIGURE 17.1
Sources of pesticide residues in mother's milk.