Organochlorine compounds in human blood plasma and milk

Organochlorine insecticides and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB's were assessed in human blood and milk collected from Israeli mothers 2-4 days ater childbirth during 1975. The concentration of total DDT (sigma DDT) was similar in whole plasma and milk (74 ppb versus 72 ppb) and higher in plasma-extracted lipids than in milk-extracted lipids: 15.12 ppm versus 5.77 ppm. Levels of gemma-BHC, dieldrin, and heptachlor epoxide were higher in whole plasma and plasma-extracted lipids than in whole milk or in milk-extracted lipids. PCB's had similar concentrations in extracted lipids of plasma and milk but were significantly higher in whole milk than in whole plasma. Higher percentages of organochlorine insecticides and PCBs were excreted in milk from mothers between 20 and 29 than between 30 and 39, although the younger group had lower levels of these compounds in plasma. Overweight women excreted lower quantities of organochlorine insecticides and PCB's than did women of normal weight