title: Comparison of DDT and its metabolites concentrations in cow milk from agricultural and industrial areas.
abstract: The risk of pesticidal intoxication in humans is severe, especially because of the strongly negative impact on human health. The consequences of the exposure to these substances may include cancerogenesis or endocrine abnormalities resulting for example in decreased fertility. Therefore, the aim of our study was to evaluate the content of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and its metabolites in cow milk from two regions of Poland, varying by level of industrialization. Samples were collected from agricultural (n = 25) and industrial (n = 25) areas, and the concentrations of DDT and its metabolites were evaluated by gas chromatography. Residues of DDT were detected in all the milk samples tested, mostly in the samples from the agricultural area, where a total DDT median concentration reached 0.336 μg L(-1). In the milk samples from the industrial area, the median concentration was lower, at 0.131 μg L(-1). 4,4'-DDT was the main metabolite, constituting 83% of total DDT metabolites. Although none of the samples exceeded the level above which they should be considered dangerous, the results showed that the problem of DDT had not diminished and so should be constantly monitored.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Animal Reproduction Biotechnology and Environmental Hygiene , West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin , Szczecin , Poland.
authors.forename: Jarosław
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kuba
authors.forename: Agnieszka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tomza-Marciniak
authors.forename: Bogumiła
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pilarczyk
authors.forename: Natalia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tarasewicz
authors.forename: Renata
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pilarczyk
authors.forename: Marek
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ligocki
mesh_terms: D000383:Agriculture; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D003634:DDT / Q000032:analysis*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D005504:Food Analysis / Q000379:methods; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000032:analysis; D008892:Milk / Q000737:chemistry*; D010573:Pesticide Residues / Q000032:analysis*; D011044:Poland
chemical_list: D010573:Pesticide Residues; D003634:DDT
keywords: DDT; cow milk; organochlorines; pesticides