Childhood pesticide poisoning via maternal milk in Karachi, Pakistan

Abstract

The aim of the current study is to determine whether level of pesticide in breast milk in the general populations of Karachi city are correlated with demographic parameters, life style factors and occupational exposure. Human milk specimens (n=200) were collected from nine different divisions between late 2003 to early 2013. These divisions were categorized in two groups i.e., highly polluted area (R1) and less polluted area (R2).the detection and quantification of different pesticide was performed by HPLC using UV detector. Extraction was performed by n-Hexane and methanol and concentrations of persistent Pyrethroids, OCs and Ops were determined. Pesticide levels in R1 were consistently higher than R2 and a significant difference (p<0.005) was observed. Permethrin (15%), Cypermethrin (20%), Deltamethrin (11%), Malathion (8%), DDE (7%) and DDT (4%) were recorded in the milk samples of R1. The mean ±S.E of Permethrin, Cypermethrin, Deltamethrin, Malathion, DDE and DDT were (21.50 ±1.18), (12.58±1.25), (9.67±3.03), (15.44±0.83), (4.35±1.10), (1.28±0.39) in R1 respectively, whereas in R2 only three pesticides were detected on very low concentration: Permethrin; (5.823±0.696), Cypermethrin; (1.938±0.56), Deltamethrin; (1.315±0.214). Maximum residue limit was also higher than those recommended by WHO/FAO. The presence of these pesticides has negative impact on newborns