First report of the concentrations and implications of DDT residues in chicken eggs from a malaria-controlled area

Abstract

Highlights No published studies on DDT in chicken eggs from a malaria controlled area  Median and maximum ΣDDT concentrations were 11 000 and 48 000 ng/g wet mass  The maximum residue limit was exceeded 100 times  Calculated acceptable daily intake was not exceeded (3 eggs/week/60 kg bm)  Reductions of DDT in soil ingested by chickens may reduce human intake via eggs ABSTRACT In malaria endemic areas, where DDT is still used for vector control by indoor residual spraying (IRS), concentrations of DDT in human blood and breast milk are high, and there are indications of human health impact. In order to identify possible avenues of exposure reduction, we created the concept of a Total Homestead Environment Approach (THEA). THEA characterises the interactions between DDT, humans, and biota within and around homesteads. One dietary route of human exposure and uptake of DDT, namely chicken egg consumption, has, to our knowledge, never been published. ΣDDT in eggs from a DDT-sprayed village ranged between 5200-48 000 ng/g wm (wet mass), with a median of 11 000 ng/g wm. On a lipid mass-basis (lm), the mean ΣDDT for eggs from the sprayed village was 100 000 ng/g lm. The maximum egg concentration observed was three orders of magnitude higher than the median. The acceptable daily intake (ADI) was exceeded 2.5 times based 1

Associations between prenatal exposure to DDT and DDE and allergy symptoms and diagnoses in the Venda Health Examination of Mothers, Babies and their Environment (VHEMBE), South Africa

“…Since then, DDT has been sprayed annually in this area, protecting residents from malaria but also resulting in high exposure and environmental contamination with unknown health consequences (17). For instance, residues of DDT, dichlorodiphenyl dichloroethane (DDD) and dichlorodiphenyl dichloroethylene (DDE) (DDT"s breakdown products) were found in water, sediment, vegetables and tissue samples collected from domestic chickens, wild birds and fish in the Limpopo Province of South Africa (18)(19)(20). Other parts of South Africa also reported high concentrations of DDT in birds (21)(22)(23), bird eggs (23)(24)(25), and fish (26,27).…”

Early-life exposure to p,p′-DDT and p,p′-DDE in South African children participating in the VHEMBE study: An assessment using repeated serum measurements and pharmacokinetic modeling

“…Finally, it is important to note that R 2 s for measured and estimated children’s levels may also account for other environmental and lifestyle factors that are shared between mothers and children. For example, consumption of chicken foraging around the dwelling (Van Dyk et al, 2010) and their eggs (Bouwman et al, 2015) may be related among family members and contribute similarly to maternal and child intake.…”

Endocrine Disruptors–‘Food’ for Thought

“…In several parts of the world, DDT is still in use for controlling mosquitoes. Bouwman et al ( 2015 ) reported a high concentration of DDT in eggs in the entire village that used DDT for vector control, supporting the contention that consumption of endocrine disruptors through diet affects human health most unconventionally. Meat is an excellent dietary source of proteins, and it also contains some micronutrients such as vitamin B12, iron and zinc.…”