Organochlorine Pesticide Residue Levels in Mothers and their Children

The book "Organochlorine Pesticide Residue Levels in Mothers and their Children" by Oluwayemisi Babatunde provides a comprehensive analysis of organochlorine pesticide residues in breast milk, baby food preparations, and the blood of breastfeeding mothers and their children. The study is based on samples taken at the University College Hospital in Ibadan and employs gas-liquid chromatography with an electron capture detector for analysis. The results reveal significant amounts of pesticide residues in breast milk and blood, indicating environmental contamination by organochlorine pesticides. Particularly concerning is the finding that residues in breast milk are higher than in blood samples, attributed to the higher fat content of breast milk. These findings raise fundamental questions about the safety of breastfeeding, especially given the vulnerability of infants to these harmful chemicals.