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Sudan Journal of Agricultural Research

DDT residues in human milk in central Sudan

Inaam A. Mohammed¹, G.A.Elzorgani¹and K.M.Abdel Fattah²


Abstract:

The insecticide DDT (I, I, I-trichloro 2, 2-bis, (pchlorophenyl) ethane) was extensively used in Sudan Gezira during the period 1950 - 1981 for the control of cotton pests. Its use was restricted in 1981 only to public health purposes. Over 147 samples of human milk were collected from lactating mothers during 1994. On analysis by gas-liquid chromatography (GLC), all samples were found to contain DDT residues. This is because it is converted to DDE by addition of 10% potassium hydroxide. Levels of DDT converted to DDE ranged from 0.008 to 71.83 ppb. The results comfirmed the extreme persistence of DDT in human bodies. Results were subjected to statistical analysis in order to detect any correlation between the geographical location, mothers weight, age, number of pregnaneies and duration between delivery and sample collection and history of exposure. With the exception of geographical location, no significant correlation was found between these factors and DDT residuses in the majority of areas sampled.

Keywords:

Sudan Journal of Agricultural Research Vol. 2(1999) PP. 69-71