Analysis of breast milk to assess exposure to chlorinated contaminants in Kazakhstan: sources of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) exposures in an agricultural region of southern Kazakhstan.

High levels of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD; up to 208 pg/g fat) were measured in samples of breast milk collected in 1997 from 64 donors [41 first-time mothers (primiparae)] living on state farms in southern Kazakhstan. TCDD was the major contributor (70%) to the toxic equivalents, matching the congener patterns found in breast milk and serum samples collected in 1994 and 1996 from donors in nearby villages. The highest TCDD levels were found in state farms adjacent to a reservoir (zone A), which receives agricultural runoff from cotton fields.

Analysis of breast milk to assess exposure to chlorinated contaminants in Kazakstan: high levels of 2,3,7, 8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) in agricultural villages of southern Kazakstan.

To assess levels of chlorinated contaminants in breast milk, we measured organochlorine pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls, polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) in breast milk samples collected in 1994 according to the World Health Organization protocol from 92 donors that were representative of regional populations in southern Kazakstan. High levels (10-120 pg/g fat) of 2,3,7, 8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), the most toxic of the PCDD/PCDF congeners, were found in breast milk samples from an agricultural region. TCDD was the major contributor (75%) to the international toxicity equivalents of these samples.

Breast milk contamination in Kazakhstan: implications for infant feeding.

To assist the Ministry of Health of Kazakhstan in making infant feeding recommendations, breast milk samples were analyzed for PCDDs/PCDFs, PCBs, chlorinated pesticides, toxic metals, and cesium-137. Sampling sites were selected to provide a profile of representative exposures to possible contaminants; 92 breastmilk samples from 7 sites were analyzed for chlorinated contaminants and 115 samples from 8 sites were analyzed for toxic metals and cesium-137. With three important exceptions, concentrations of chlorinated contaminants and toxic metals were similar to or lower than those in Europe.

Analysis of breast milk to assess exposure to chlorinated contaminants in Kazakstan: PCBs and organochlorine pesticides in southern Kazakstan.

Organochlorine pesticides (OC) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were measured in samples of breast milk taken from 92 donors representative of regional populations in southern Kazakstan. The World Health Organization protocol for assessing levels of chlorinated contaminants in breast milk was followed. The most prevalent OC residues were beta-hexachlorocyclohexane (beta-HCH), p,p'-DDE, p,p'-DDT, hexachlorobenzene, and alpha-HCH.

[Features of adaptation of newborns born to mothers with endemic goiter].

Relationships between chronic iodine deficiency and, among other things, endemic goiter in women and adaptation of their babies in the early neonatal period were studied. A total of 125 women with endemic goiter of the Ist-IInd degrees and their newborns were examined. The diagnosis of endemic goiter was verified by the findings of an objective examination, ultrasonic examination, and puncture biopsy of the thyroid.