ANALYSIS OF BREAST-MILK TO ASSESS EXPOSURE TO CHLORINATED CONTAMINANTS IN KAZAKHSTAN - PCBS AND ORGANOCHLORINE PESTICIDES IN SOUTHERN KAZAKHSTAN

Organochlorine pesticides (OC) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) we re measured in samples of breast milk taken from 92 donors representat ive of regional populations in southern Kazakstan. The World Health Or ganization protocol for assessing levels of chlorinated contaminants i n breast milk was followed. The most prevalent OC residues were beta-h exachlorocyclohexane (beta-HCH), p,p'-DDE, p,p'-DDT, hexachlorobenzene , and alpha-HCH. The measured levels of beta-HCH were among the highes t reported in the published literature. Data from Aralsk, near the Ara l Sea, indicated continuing DDT exposure. Overall PCB-toxic equivalent levels (22 pg/g fat) were similar to those reported in industrialized European countries. PCBs were highest in Atyrau in the Caspian oilfie lds.