Relationship of dietary intake to DDE residues in breast milk of nursing mothers in Beirut

Milk samples were collected from 32 nursing mothers living in the Beirut area, Lebanon. Dietary intakes of participating mothers were obtained from data of their diet histories, 24 h dietary recalls and food frequency questionnaires. Milk samples were screened for the presence of organochlorine pesticide residues and DDE levels were estimated using gas chromatographic techniques. The relationship between consumption of various food groups and DDE content of milk was investigated. A positive correlation was found between the consumption of either/or high fat meat, tuna fish and DDE levels in milk. Consumption of poultry products showed a weak correlation with DDE content of milk, whereas consumption of vegetable oils showed a negative correlation.