Public Health. 1998 Nov; 112(6): 425-7.

Some factors related to sum-DDT levels in Ugandan mothers' breast milk.

Ejobi F, Kanja LW, Kyule MN, Nyeko J, Opuda-Asibo J.

Centre for Environmental Research, Institute for Biogeography, University of Saarland, Saarbruecken, Germany.

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.