Persistence of organochlorines in breast milk of women in Victoria, Australia

Pesticides as a source of developmental disabilities

“…The fetus and neonate are exposed to substantial levels of organochlorine compounds due to their persistence in maternal body stores. Because these compounds accumulate in fat, breast milk is an appreciable exposure source for infants, exceeding the concentrations in maternal blood [e.g., Rogan and Ragan, 1994;Quinsey et al, 1995]. Moreover, organochlorines readily cross the placenta; neonatal blood levels attain about one-third the maternal values.…”

Mechanisms underlying Children's susceptibility to environmental toxicants.

“…The significance for endogenous ACh metabolism and pesticide toxicity is unknown. Gaining knowledge about the age and genetic differences in this enzyme is especially significant given the role that the cholinergic system plays in learning and memory (51) and the new findings that suggest a role for ACh in various aspects of normal brain development (52)(53)(54) (57,(63)(64)(65)(66)(67)(68)(69). Recognition that many of these compounds are environmentally persistent has resulted in regulatory controls and in generally declining residue levels in humans for polychlorinated biphenyls and DDT.…”

Phytoremediation Potentials of Sunflower (Helianthus annus) on Soil Contaminated with Organochlorine Pesticide Residue

“…The detection of the isomers of Benzene hexachloride may be due to its use by farmers as a fungicide on seed grains such as wheat, barley and oats 16 or its occurrence as an impurity in other fungicides at low levels 17 . The plant also absorbed 3.4884+ 6.0400 mg/kg, 37.3056 + 19.9992 mg/kg and 16.5957+ 19.2893 mg/kg of Heptachlor, Heptachlor epoxide and Methoxychlor respectively.…”