Pesticides in milk at high risk for infants and children

Pesticides that were banned long ago in Argentina, are still "appearing" in animal products, especially dairy products such as baby milk, yoghurts and desserts that consume so privileged babies and children, according to studies conducted by toxicologists at the Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, UBA. But fortunately, the researchers say, is no solution for this problem.

"We analyzed 50 samples of baby milk and 51 samples of yogurt and desserts available in the market. We found that only 10 percent of them were free of pesticides whose presence we wanted to detect, given their dangerous, especially for babies and children" Villamil said Dr. Edda Lepori, associate professor of the Chair of Toxicology and Legal Chemistry and director of the research team.

The researchers looked for the presence of pesticide residues, some of which were banned long ago in Argentina, and other toxic substances whose use is strictly restricted. "While a comprehensive study of various components of pesticides, we focus on organochlorine pesticides, known by the acronym POC, since they are extremely persistent and accumulate in the food chain," said Villamil.

Please note that DDT, banned in Argentina for over a decade by the National Health Service and Food Quality (SENASA) still leaves traces in various foods, but mainly in human milk and the vaccine. The POC is so persistent that may still appear on food even after 40 years is no longer used.

"Milk is a way of disposing of POC, but also and primarily as a route of exposure of infants and children to these potent toxins. In fact, the most sensitive group are infants and young children , and only after the adults, "said the specialist, UBA.

Infants and children consume more calories per unit body weight than adults. But more seriously, eat a very restricted range of foods. So much so that, for infants, the only source of nutrients is breast milk or infant formulas prepared on the basis of cow's milk. For children from six months onward, they begin to consume a mixed diet, milk and other dairy products like yogurt and "Postrecito" remain major components of the diet. Then, considering that breast milk and cow are privileged routes for the disposal of organochlorine pesticides, can be understood fully the gravity of the problem. "Babies and children are 10 times more exposed than adults to the effects of these toxic waste," he said Villamil.

The International Life Science Institute (ILSI) warned in 2001 that prenatal exposure of young children and the POC is related to deficiencies in neurological development and frequency of low birth weight.

Although pesticide residues detected more frequently in samples of milk were studied Argentine researchers metabolite heptachlor and heptachlor epoxide - present in 57.4 percent of the samples - were not the only toxic waste. "Other substances detected were persistent: in 53.3 percent of the HCH group (hexaclrociclohexano), at 31.7, total DDT and aldrin, dieldrin, at 28.7, chlordane, in 18.8, endrin and in 9.9, endosulfan and HCB (hexachlorobenzene), "said Villamil.

But fortunately, the researchers posit, there option, if about 10 percent of the samples studied did not exhibit the presence of pesticides, it means that producers of milk for babies and children, especially infant formula, should have caution in selecting items free of toxic materials to develop children's products. "With what she concluded the specialist - would be sure not to expose children to these dangerous toxic substances."