Report on Global Monitoring Project Pesticide Research Laboratory ...

<strong>Report</strong> on Global Monitoring Project 

Pesticide Research Laboratory, University of the 

West Indies, Jamaica. 

Project Title: Supporting the Implementation of the Global 

Monitoring Plan of POPs in Latin America and Caribbean 

States (LAC). 

Survey of Human Milk and Air Samples for Residual 

Persistent Organic Pollutants 

UNEP-GEF 

September 2011 

COORDINATOR: Professor Tara P. Dasgupta 

Pesticide Research Laboratory 

Department of Chemistry 

University of the West Indies, Mona 

Kingston 7, Jamaica.

Abstract 

Human milk samples from 50 first-time mothers were analyzed for POPs. Milk samples were 

collected from mothers living in rural and urban Jamaica in order to provide a representation of 

the country‟s population. Air sample monitoring was done using polyurethane foams (PUFs) 

contained in eight (8) passive air samplers located in one fixed area in the heart of the Kingston 

city. The exposures of the PUFs were done in four (4) rounds between August 26, 2010 and July 

8, 2011 (see details in table 1 below). There were eight (8) PUF samples per round, four (4) of 

which were analysed for Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), dioxins and furans by the 

designated local laboratory (Pesticide Research Laboratory, PRL) and the other four (4) samples 

were analysed by a designated laboratory in Spain for the same parameters. The Standard 

Operating Procedure (SOP) used for the analysis of the PUF samples and the results are shown 

section 2 and 3 respectively.

Preamble: 

The titled project was initiated by the Regional Center of the Stockholm Convention Latin 

America and the Caribbean (SCU), Laboratorio Tecnológico del Uruguay (LATU), Montevideo, 

Uruguay. The financial support for the project was obtained from GEF/UNEP. A Memorándum 

of Understanding (MOU) between the Pesticide Research Laboratory (PRL) , University of the 

West Indies (UWI), Jamiaca and LATU was formally established in 2010 to strengthen the 

national monitoring capacity, to build regional testing capacities and to develop data on POPs to 

be incorporated in the global report for the Conference of the Parties of the Stockholm 

Convention. 

Introduction: 

The Governing Council of UNEP decided in May 1995 to begin investigating POPs. Initially a 

short list of the following twelve POPs known as „Dirty Dozon” was made to begin 

investigation: 

Aldrin, chlordane, DDT, dieldrin, endrin, heptachlor, hexachlorobenzene, mirex,polychlorinated 

biphenyls, polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, polychlorinated dibenzofurans, and toxaphene. 

These compounds are halogenated aromatic compounds that are widespread and persistent 

environmental pollutants (1). 

POPs have three chemical characteristics that make them 

intrinsically hazardous: they are stable (persistent), they are fat-seeking, and they have the 

potential to act as endocrine disruptors (2). 

The highly lipophilic and hydrophobic PCBs, dioxins (PCDDs and PCDFs), and related 

compounds tend to partition into soil and sediment, bioconcentrate from water to aquatic animal, 

and biomagnify up the multistep food chain (3). Humans are also high on the food chain, eating 

meat and dairy products from herbivores, as well as fish and plants (4). More than 90% of the 

total daily human exposure to PCBs and dioxins is made up of oral intake from food, whereas 

other routes, e.g., water, air and soil, contribute to less than 10% of total exposure (4) 

The human fetus is exposed to PCBs and dioxins through placental transport, and higher 

quantities of these compounds are transferred to the infant during breast-feeding. The 

concentration of these compounds in breast milk is dependent on the maternal PCB and dioxin 

body burden (5). This body burden is the result of accumulation of PCBs and dioxins over many 

years, especially in fat tissue, combined with the low metabolic degradation and rate of excretion 

(1).

Follow-up studies performed in children of women accidentally exposed to high levels of PCBs 

and related compounds (Japanese and Taiwanese rice oil incidents) have demonstrated a variety 

of health effects, e.g., lower birth weight, hyper pigmentation, conjunctivitis, nail changes, and 

developmental delay; these are similar to toxic effects reported in animal studies (5, 6). 

Newborns of mothers who reported consumption of PCB-contaminated fish from Lake Michigan 

showed lower birth weight (7) and lower IQ scores at school-age (8). 

In Jamaica there is widespread application of PCB and hence the risk or health hazards may be 

just as common. For example, in Jamaica, areas of transformer oil storage or transformer 

explosion, PCBs, has been detected in soil samples at concentrations of 4.8 mg/kg and 8.7mg/kg 

respectively (9). However the health effects of exposure to PCBs and related compounds have 

not been explored. More importantly the cumulative effects of POPs on infants from breast milk 

from exposed mothers have not been investigated. The WHO has recently recommended 

exclusive breastfeeding up to six months of life to achieve optimal growth, development and 

health (WHO) (10). Infants who are exclusively breastfed for six months, experience less 

morbidity from pneumonia and gastrointestinal morbidity than those who are partially breastfed 

or not breastfed (11), and no long term deficits have been demonstrated in growth among infants 

from either developing or developed countries who are exclusively breastfed for six months or 

longer (12).Additionally breastfeeding is cheaper, is associated with significantly higher mental 

development scores than formula-fed infants . However the effect of sustained consumption of 

breast milk contaminated with environmental toxins such as POP‟s on infants growth and mental 

development is unclear. 

More importantly the cumulative levels of POPs in human breast milk have not been 

investigated. It is hence necessary, that we seek to measure the levels of the POPs that maybe 

present in breast milk, thus providing information for policy makers to embark on crucial plan of 

actions to minimize exposure and/or emissions of these toxins.

Methodology 

The survey included collecting human milk samples from 50 first-time mothers whose milk 

samples were analyzed for POPs. Milk samples were collected from mothers living in rural and 

urban Jamaica in order to provide a representation of the country‟s population. Informed consent 

were obtained from the mothers who satisfied the specified eligibility criteria which included age 

2. Expressing milk for testing may cause harm to mother and might reduce fertility this 

suspicion was not limited to breast milk but testing of all bodily fluids. 

There was generally also a high level of apprehension from the mothers even after they were 

briefed by the nurses in charge at the clinic. Home visits were arranged for the mother who were 

unable to attend the clinic. 

There were also various challenges among those who participated in the survey. These problems 

included: 

1. Participants who took the samples bottles home them decided that expressing was too 

much of a burden and could not continue. 

2. Participants would agree to participate but would later discontinue as an older relative 

usually the participant‟s mother or grandmother would discourage the mother citing 

reasons relating to superstitious belief. 

3. Some participants after agreeing for the samples to be collected at home, would then 

leave the home for some unknown location and then could not located or contacted. 

Sample collection occurred from mid November 2010 to the first week in January of 2011. 

Sample classification was done as described in Table 1 below. 

Location/ Description of 

Pool 

Table 1: Sample Classification 

Number of samples 

Pool 

number/individual 

samples 

Rural mother 11 11 

Vegetarian 1 1 

Smoking/exposed to 

2 2 

smoke 

Older mothers 14 1 

Teen mothers 18 1 

Second time mothers 3 1 

Fish eater 1 1 

Inner city mothers 15 1 

Uptown mothers 3 1 

Composite sample 1 1 

Total 21

Training Programme: 

All samples were analyzed by our trained analysts. However, UNEP arranged to send two 

experts from Spain, Drs. Benin and Encara to visit our laboratory and trained two of our analysts, 

Dr. Raymond Reid and Ms. Sherin Whyte, on the application of GC/MS method to detect trace 

amount of POPs and PCBs in breast milk and air samples. The training was quite helpful for the 

analysts. 

Analytical Support: 

Initially it was promised by the Regional coordinator and UNEP that all the glassware and 

chemicals will be sent by the UNEP and accordingly a list of requirements was sent to the 

UNEP. Unfortunately, except GC column and sample bottles no other items were arrived. It 

caused an enormous delay in starting the project and also because of shortage of glassware, 

specifically Soxhlet apparatus for extraction of POPs the analyses took us longer time than 

anticipated. 

Air Sample (PUFs) 2010-2011 

Section 1 

Air sample monitoring was done using polyurethane foams (PUF). The exposures of the PUFs 

were done in four (4) rounds between August 26, 2010 and July 8, 2011 (see details in table 1 

below). There were eight (8) PUF samples per round, four (4) of which were analysed for 

Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), dioxins and furans by the designated local laboratory 

(Pesticide Research Laboratory, PRL) and the other four (4) samples were analysed by a 

designated laboratory in Spain for the same parameters. The Standard Operating Procedure 

(SOP) used for the analysis of the PUF samples and the results are shown section 2 and 3 

respectively.

Table 1 

Installation date 

**August 26, 

2010 

Sampling 

Time 

Round 

Number 

PUF samples 

analysed by 

Spain 

PUF samples 

analysed by 

PRL 

9:24 am 1 1, 2, 5 and 7 3, 4, 6, 8 and (the 

“reserve” was 

analysed by 

Bennin) 

October 1, 2010 12:20 pm – 12:57 

pm 

2 1, 2, 5 and 6 3, 4, 7, 8 and 

“reserve” 

January 3, 2011 5:26 pm – 6:02 pm 3 1, 2, 5 and 6 3, 4, 7, 8 and 

“reserve” 

April 8, 2011 3:45 pm – 4:30 pm 4 1, 2, 5 and 6 3, 4, 7, 8 and 

“reserve” 

** Due to late arrival of the PUFs from Spain, the first exposure of the PUFs was not done as 

proposed. (The proposed date was July 1, 2010). So, the first round of samples was only 

exposed for one (1) month instead of three (3) months. 

The final round of PUF exposure ended on July 8, 2011 between 3:30 pm and 3:45 pm . 

Section 2 

Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the extraction of PUF sample by the Soxhlet 

Method 

A pair of clean scissors was used to cut the PUF into small pieces (about 1 cm 2 ) which then 

placed into the Soxhlet Apparatus (no thimble was used) with the aid of a pair of tweezers and a 

glass stirring rod. 

About 200 mL of toluene were added to a 500 mL round bottom flask. (This amount of toluene 

was added so that when the extraction tube was filled to the siphon point, there was enough 

solvent left in the flask to prevent cracking due to heating). The extraction apparatus was 

assembled, the round bottom flask positioned in the heating mantle and the water flow started 

through the condenser. The apparatus was supported using a clamp and stand. The heat was 

adjusted for at least six cycles per hour. (The cycle is the filling of the extraction tube with 

solvent which evaporates from the flask and then condenses into the tube, followed by siphoning 

of solvent back into the flask). The sample was extracted for ten (10) hours. The extract was 

concentrated to about 1 mL using a rotary evaporator. The 1 mL of evaporated sample extract 

was transferred to a florisil column which was prepared as follows: 25 cm x 1 cm glass column 

(with a Teflon stopcock and 250 mL reservoir) was plugged with 2 cm glass wool, filled with

hexane and then, 6 g of activated florisil was poured into the column (Florisil 60-100 mesh from 

FISCHER, activated overnight at 130C). A gentle shaking of the column was necessary to settle 

the florisil inside the column. Two cm of sodium sulphate was then added on top. Hexane was 

poured into the column and when the hexane reaches the top of the filling, the stopcock was 

closed, a 250 mL round bottom flask was placed under the column and the evaporated sample 

extract was transferred to the top of the column using a Pasteur pipette. As the sample passes 

through the column, the sample container was rinsed with 3 x 2 mL portions of hexane (from a 

premeasured 50 mL of hexane) and rinses were also transferred to the column. The remaining 

hexane was poured into the reservoir of the column and the elution of fraction 1 was performed 

at a steady drip of 3 mL/min. When the hexane reached the top of the filling, the stopcock was 

turned off, the flask with fraction 1 was replaced with another 250 mL flask, the column was 

eluted with 50 mL of 15% DCM/Hexane (v/v) and fraction 2 was collected. The procedure was 

then repeated for fraction 3 using 150 mL of 60% DCM/Hexane (v/v). Each of the 3 fractions 

was separately rotary-evaporated (after adding 5 mL of iso-octane – Optima grade) to 1.0 mL. 1 

uL of the extract was analysed by a Agilent 6890 GC-MS (scan mode) fitted with a HP 5MS 

column (0.25mm x 0.25 um x 30m), the appropriate reference standards and the Chem-Station 

Software. 

Analysis of Mirror Samples 

Fish and Cow‟s Milk samples were collected and each one was splitted to two –A and B. Fish 

sample A and Cow‟s Milk sample A were sent to Dr. Estaben‟s Laboratory in Spain. B-samples 

were analyzed at he Pesticide Research Laboratory. 

Mirror Samples: 

Results for UNEP Mirror Samples 

PCB 

Congeners 

Fish/(ng/kg) Cow’s 

Milk/(ng/kg) 

PCB18 38.5 nd 

PCB17 17 nd 

PCB31 110.8 nd

PCB28 nd nd 

PCB33 36.7 nd 

PCB52 91.9 nd 

PCB49 145.4 nd 

PCB44 43.5 nd 

PCB74 53.5 nd 

PCB70+76 64 nd 

PCB66+95 112.4 nd 

PCB101 86.9 nd 

PCB99 49.5 nd 

PCB87 190.4 nd 

PCB110 66.5 nd 

PCB151+182 nd nd 

PCB149 29.3 nd 

PCB118 89.7 nd 

PCB 

Congeners 

Fish/(ng/kg) Cow’s 

Milk/(ng/kg) 

PCB153 184.3 24.1 

PCB105+132 45.8 nd 

PCB138 79.8 nd 

PCB158 69.3 nd 

PCB187 105.9 nd 

PCB183 66.5 nd 

PCB128 44.9 nd 

PCB173 77 nd 

PCB156+171 49.1 nd 

PCB180 76.7 14.2 

PCB191 nd nd 

PCB169 nd nd 

PCB170+190 95.3 nd 

PCB201 nd nd 

PCB195+208 nd nd 

PCB194 46 nd 

PCB205 nd nd 

PCB206 nd nd 

PCB209 nd nd 

Pesticides Fish/(ng/kg) Cow’s 

Milk/(ng/kg) 

a-BHC 59.3 nd 

HCB 71 nd 

B-BHC nd nd 

g-BHC 144.5 nd 

d-BHC 36.8 nd 

Heptachlor 40.5 nd

Aldrin 25.6 12.9 

Endosulfan I 79.4 nd 

Oxychlordane + Heptachlor epoxide A 53.5 nd 

Heptachlor Epoxide B 64 nd 

trans-chlordane 232 nd 

o,p'-DDE nd nd 

cis-chlordane 210.1 nd 

p,p'-DDE 190.4 nd 

dieldrin nd nd 

o,p'-DDD 51.7 nd 

Endrin 32.5 nd 

endsulfan II 89.7 nd 

p,p'-DDD 42.3 nd 

o,p'-DDT 46.5 nd 

p,p'-DDT 65.2 nd 

methoxychlor 85.1 nd 

mirex nd nd 

nd – not detected (detection is less than 10 µg/L) 

UNEP PUF Results_Rounds #1&2_B 

Matrix 

AIR 

Date 4/26/2011 9/27/2011 

No. 1 2 

Sample-ID JAM-1-I JAM-1-II 

Country JAMAICA JAMAICA 

Fat (%) 

Unit ng filter -1 ng filter -1 

Aldrin 0.214 0.065 

Dieldrin 0.179 0.0004 

Endrin 0.014 0.003 

Sum drins 0.407 0.068 

a-Chlordane 0.0004 0.0004 

g-Chlordane 0.115 0.026 

Oxychlordane 0.0004 0.0004 

cis-Nonachlor 0.149 0.0004 

trans-Nonachlor 0.0004 0.0004 

Sum chlordanes 0.265 0.028 

Sum chlordane equivalent

UNEP Inter-calibration 2010-2011 (Part 1) 

UNEP Intercalibration 2010 

Ash Sediment Fish Mothers' Milk 

Standard 

1 C 

Code: (ng/kg) (ng/kg) (µg/kg) (µg/kg) (ng/µl) 

Date Received: October 26, 2010 

Date Analyzed: January 13-18, 2011 

(Wet) Weight received: 9.974g 

Lipid weight: * 4.69E+06 5.50E+06 * 

% Lipids: * 0.47 0.55 * 

Drins 

Aldrin * 9.88 10.11 

Dieldrin * 10.02 9.98 

Endrin * 10.09 10.02 

Sum Drins Lower Bound (ND = 0) * 

Sum Drins Upper Bound (ND = LOD) * 

Notes 

* not applicable 

All values should be reported in ng/kg or 

pg/µl 

ND: not detected < than value expected 

NA: not analyzed 




Standard 

1 C 






% Lipids: * 0.47 0.55 * 

Chlordanes 

trans-Chlordane * 10.06 10.14 

cis-Chlordane * 10.02 10.12 

trans-Nonachlor * 9.86 10.06 

cis-Nonachlor * 9.92 10.08 

Oxychlordane * 10.01 10.01 

Heptachlor * 10.04 9.96 

cis-Heptachlorepoxide * 10.05 9.87 

trans-Heptachlorepoxide * 10 9.82 

Sum Chlordane Lower Bound (ND = 0) * 

Sum Chlordane Upper Bound (ND = LOD) * 

Notes 


All values should be reported in ng/kg or pg/µl 


NA: not analyzed




Standard 1 

C 






% Lipids: * 0.47 0.55 * 

DDTs 

p,p'-DDT * 10.04 10.16 

o,p'-DDT * 10.07 10.15 

p,p'-DDE * 10.04 10.04 

o,p'-DDE * 10.04 10.07 

p,p'-DDD * 10.04 9.94 

o,p'-DDD * 10.04 10.01 

Sum DDTs Lower Bound (ND = 0) * 

Sum DDTs Upper Bound (ND = LOD) * 

Mirex * 9.92 10.17 

Hexachlorobenzene 9.98 10.12 

Notes 








Standard 1 

C 






% Lipids: * 0.47 0.55 * 

DDTs 

p,p'-DDT * 10.04 10.16 

o,p'-DDT * 10.07 10.15 

p,p'-DDE * 10.04 10.04 

o,p'-DDE * 10.04 10.07 

p,p'-DDD * 10.04 9.94 

o,p'-DDD * 10.04 10.01 

Sum DDTs Lower Bound (ND = 0) * 

Sum DDTs Upper Bound (ND = LOD) * 

Mirex * 9.92 10.17 

Hexachlorobenzene 9.98 10.12 

Notes 




NA: not analyzed



Ash Sediment Fish Mothers' Milk Standard 1 B 

Code: (ng/kg) (ng/kg) (ug/kg) (ug/kg) (ng/µl) 




Lipid weight: * * 4.69E+06 5.50E+06 * 

% Lipids: * * 0.47 0.55 * 

Marker PCBs 

PCB #28 2.008 2.012 

PCB #52 1.984 1.992 

PCB #101 2.01 2.018 

PCB #118 2.002 2.009 

PCB #138 2.016 2.023 

PCB #153 1.984 1.998 

PCB #180 1.994 2.002 

Sum Marker PCB Lower Bound (ND = 0) 

Sum Marker PCB Upper Bound (ND = LOD) 

Notes 


All values should be reported in ng/kg or ng/µl 



Basic POPs Results 

Sample type: Human milk 

Country: Jamaica 

Sample no. 11012943 

Date: 27/04/11 

Lipid content [%]: 4.4 

Parameter 

Aldrin 

Concentration g/g lipid weight 

nd 

Chlordane group 2.7 

alpha-chlordane 

gamma-chlordane 

nd 

nd 

gamma-chlordane 2.8 

Trans-nonachlor 4.5 

Dieldrin 2.4

Basic POPs Results 




Date: 27/04/11 


Parameter 

Aldrin 


nd 

Chlordane group 2.7 

alpha-chlordane 

gamma-chlordane 

nd 

nd 

gamma-chlordane 2.8 

Trans-nonachlor 4.5 

Dieldrin 2.4 

Basic POPs Results (cont’d) 




Date: 27/04/11 


Parameter 


DDT group 173.0 

o,p‟-DDD 

p,p‟-DDD 

o,p‟-DDE 

p,p‟-DDE 147.4 

o,p‟-DDT 1.0 

p,p‟-DDT 7.7 

Endrin group 

Endrin 

Endrin ketone 

nd 

nd 

nd 

nd 

nd 

nd





Date: 27/04/11 


Parameter 

Heptachlor group 

Heptachlor 

Heptachlor-epoxide cis 

Heptachlor-epoxide trans 


Hexachlorobenzene 3.5 

Hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) group 

alpha-HCH 

beta-HCH 1.5 

gamma-HCH 

nd 

nd 

nd 

nd 

nd 

nd 





Date: 27/04/11 


Parameter 


Parlar (toxaphene) group 1.3 

Parlar 26 0.5 

Parlar 50 0.8 

Parlar 62 

Mirex 

nd 

nd 

Explanations: nd = not detected (< 0.5 ng/g fat) 

1) sum of alpha-chlordane, beta-chlordane and oxychlordane, calculated as chlordane 

2) sum of o,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDE and p,p'-DDD, calculated as DDT 

3) sum of endrin and endrin ketone, calculated as endrin 

4) sum of heptachlor and heptachlor-epoxid (cis/trans), calculated as heptachlor 

5) sum of parlar 26, parlar 50 and parlar 62

PCDD/Fs Results 

Sample type: Human Milk 



Date: 27/04/11 


2,3,7,8-substituted PCDF/PCDD 

Concentration pg/g lipid weight 

2,3,7,8-TCDF 0.417 

1,2,3,7,8-PeCDF 0.204 

2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF 1.71 

1,2,3,4,7,8-HxCDF 1.19 

2,3,4,6,7,8-HxCDF 1.16 

1,2,3,7,8,9-HxCDF 0.457 

1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDF 0.0352 

1,2,3,4,7,8,9-HpCDF 2.09 

OCDF 0.181 0.109 

PCDD/Fs Results (cont’d) 




Date: 27/04/11 


2,3,7,8-substituted PCDF/PCDD 

Concentration pg/g lipid weight 

2,3,7,8-TCDD 0.436 

1,2,3,7,8-PeCDD 1.81 

1,2,3,4,7,8-HxCDD 1.38 

1,2,3,6,7,8-HxCDD 6.74 

1,2,3,7,8,9-HxCDD 2.00 

1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDD 14.0 

OCDD 56.9 

Explanations: 

< [LOQ] Below limit of quantification (LOQ)

PCB Results 




Date: 27/04/11 


Indicator PCB 

Concentration ng/g lipid weight 

PCB 28 0.955 

PCB 52 0.317 

PCB 101 0.688 

PCB 138 7.94 

PCB 153 10.1 

PCB 180 3.87 

Sum Indicator PCB 23.8 

PCB Results (cont’d) 




Date: 27/04/11 


Mono-ortho PCB 


PCB 105 1.94 

PCB 114 0.256 

PCB 118 5.75 

PCB 123 0.0780 

PCB 156 1.54 

PCB 157 0.362 

PCB 167 0.468 

PCB 189 0.0717

PCB Results (cont’d) 




Date: 27/04/11 


Non-ortho PCB 


PCB 77 0.00447 

PCB 81 0.00174 

PCB 126 0.01303 

PCB 169 0.00526 

Explanations: 

< [LOQ] Below limit of quantification (LOQ) 

UNEP Chemicals Branch "POPs Results <strong>Report</strong>ing Form" 

Compound/Indicator UB LB 

Matrix AIR AIR AIR AIR 

Date 26/04/2011 27/09/2011 26/04/2011 27/09/2011 

No 1 2 1 2 

Sample ID JAM-1-I JAM-1-II JAM-1-I JAM-1-II 

Country JAMAICA JAMAICA JAMAICA JAMAICA 

Unit ng filter -1 ng filter -1 ng filter -1 ng filter -1 

Basic POPs Pesticides 

Sum drins 0.407 0.068 0 0.407 0.068 

Sum chlordanes 0.265 0.028 0 0.264 0.026 

Sum DDTs 0.176 0.053 0 0.175 0.052 

Sum heptachlor 0.063 0.289 0 0.062 0.289 

HCB 0.188 0.226 0 0.188 0.226 

Mirex 0.022 0.0004 0 0.022 0 

Sum toxaphene 0 0 0 0 0 

PCB7 

Sum PCB7 18.56 19.26 0 18.56 19.26 

dl-POPs 

WHO1998-TEQPCDD/PCDF 22.93 38.87 0 22.87 38.50 

WHO1998-TEQPCB 4.03 4.37 0 4.03 4.37 

WHO1998-TEQPCDD/PCDF/PCB 26.96 43.24 0 26.90 42.87

Upper-bound 

Please enter NDs with their LOQ 

Matrix AIR AIR 

Date 26/04/2011 27/09/2011 

No. 1 2 3 

Correction factors Sample-ID JAM-1-I JAM-1-II 

for OCP 

equivalents 


Fat (%) 

Unit ng filter -1 ng filter -1 ng 

filter -1 

Aldrin 0.214 0.065 

Dieldrin 0.179 0.0004 

Endrin 0.014 0.003 

UB Sum drins 0.407 0.068 0.0 

1 -Chlordane 0.0004 0.0004 

1 -Chlordane 0.115 0.026 

0.967 Oxychlordane 0.0004 0.0004 

0.923 cis-Nonachlor 0.149 0.0004 

0.923 trans-Nonachlor 0.0004 0.0004 

UB Sum chlordanes 0.265 0.028 0.0 

1 o,p'-DDT 0.021 0.017 

1 p,p'-DDT 0.068 0.0004 

1.108 o,p'-DDD 0.0004 0.0004 

1.108 p,p'-DDD 0.007 0.015 

1.115 o,p'-DDE 0.0004 0.0004 

1.115 p,p'-DDE 0.079 0.020 

UB Sum DDTs 0.176 0.053 0.0 

1 Heptachlor 0.062 0.255 

0.959 cis-Heptachlorepoxide 0.0004 0.0004 

0.959 trans-Heptachlorepoxide 0.0004 0.034 

UB Sum heptachlor 0.063 0.289 0.0 

UB HCB 0.188 0.226 

UB Mirex 0.022 0.0004 

Parlar 26 

Parlar 50 

Parlar 62 

UB Sum toxaphene 0 0 0

-HCH 0.009 0.053 

-HCH 0.044 0.0004 

-HCH 0.0004 0.030 

Matrix AIR AIR 0 

No 1 2 

Sample ID JAM-1-I JAM-1-II 


filter -1 

UB Sum drins 0.41 0.1 0.0 

LB Sum drins 0.407 0.068 0 

Difference 0% 1% #DIV/0! 

UB Sum chlordanes 0.27 0.0 0.0 

LB Sum chlordanes 0.264 0.026 0 


UB Sum DDTs 0.2 0.1 0.0 

LB Sum DDTs 0.175 0.052 0 


UB Sum heptachlor 0.1 0.3 0.0 

LB Sum heptachlor 0.062 0.289 0 


UB HCB 0.2 0.2 0.0 

LB HCB 0.188 0.226 0 


UB Mirex 0.0 0.0 0.0 

LB Mirex 0.022 0 0 


UB Sum toxaphene 0.0 0.0 0.0 

LB Sum toxaphene 0 0 0 

Difference #DIV/0! #DIV/0! #DIV/0! 

Lower-bound Please enter NDs with 0 

Matrix AIR AIR 

Date 26/04/2011 27/09/2011 

No. 1 2 3 

Correction factors Sample-ID JAM-1-I JAM-1-II 

for OCP 

equivalents 


Fat (%) 


filter -1

Aldrin 0.214 0.065 

Dieldrin 0.179 0 

Endrin 0.014 0.003 

LB Sum drins 0.407 0.068 0.0 

1 -Chlordane 0 0 

1 -Chlordane 0.115 0.026 

0.967 Oxychlordane 0 0 

0.923 cis-Nonachlor 0.149 0 

0.923 trans-Nonachlor 0 0 

LB Sum chlordanes 0.264 0.026 0.0 

1 o,p'-DDT 0.021 0.017 

1 p,p'-DDT 0.068 0 

1.108 o,p'-DDD 0 0 

1.108 p,p'-DDD 0.007 0.015 

1.115 o,p'-DDE 0 0 

1.115 p,p'-DDE 0.079 0.020 

LB Sum DDTs 0.175 0.052 0.0 

1 Heptachlor 0.062 0.255 

0.959 cis-Heptachlorepoxide 0 0 

0.959 trans-Heptachlorepoxide 0 0.034 

LB Sum heptachlor 0.062 0.289 0.0 

LB HCB 0.188 0.226 

LB Mirex 0.022 0 

Parlar 26 

Parlar 50 

Parlar 62 

LB Sum toxaphene 0 0 0

Upper-bound 


Matrix Air Air 

Date 26/04/2011 27/09/2011 

No. 1 2 3 



Fat (%) - 

Unit ng filter -1 ng filter -1 ng filter -1 

UB 

PCB #28 6.20 6.51 

PCB #52 4.26 4.46 

PCB #101 2.55 2.51 

PCB #118 1.34 1.34 

PCB #138 1.49 2.29 

PCB #153 2.16 1.36 

PCB #180 0.560 0.794 

Sum PCB 7 18.56 19.26 0.00 

ng filter -1 ng filter -1 ng filter -1 

UB Sum PCB7 18.56 19.26 0 

LB Sum PCB7 18.56 19.26 0 


PCB-105 0.0760 

PCB-156 0.0206 

Lowerbound 

Please enter NDs with 0 


Date 26/04/2011 27/09/2011 

No. 1 2 3 



Fat (%) - 

Unit ng filter -1 ng filter -1 ng filter -1 

LB 

PCB #28 6.20 6.51 

PCB #52 4.26 4.46 

PCB #101 2.55 2.51 

PCB #118 1.34 1.34 

PCB #138 1.49 2.29 

PCB #153 2.16 1.36 

PCB #180 0.560 0.794 

Sum PCB 7 18.56 19.26 0.00

Upper-bound 

WHO 1998 -TEF 



Date 26/04/2011 27/09/2011 

No. 1 2 3 



Fat (%) 

Unit pg filter -1 pg filter -1 ng filter - 

PCDD/PCDF 

1 2378-Cl 4 DD 

1.75 3.77 

1 12378-Cl 5 DD 9.03 14.20 

0.1 123478-Cl 6 DD 

5.98 7.74 

0.1 123678-Cl 6 DD 11.24 16.56 

0.1 123789-Cl 6 DD 10.06 14.51 

0.01 1234678-Cl 7 DD 

88.08 128.65 

0.0001 Cl 8 DD 362.82 573.68 

0.1 2378-Cl 4 DF 

7.34 16.36 

0.05 12378-Cl 5 DF 0.101 0.196 

0.5 23478-Cl 5 DF 

8.94 17.93 

0.1 123478-Cl 6 DF 8.17 12.10 

0.1 123678-Cl 6 DF 10.22 14.57 

0.1 123789-Cl 6 DF 

9.47 13.47 

0.1 234678-Cl 6 DF 0.49 3.59 

0.01 1234678-Cl 7 DF 

45.57 68.77 

0.01 1234789-Cl 7 DF 0.171 0.211 

0.0001 Cl 8 DF 32.75 54.71 

WHO 1998 -TEQ PCDD 14.42 23.2 0.0 

WHO 1998 -TEQ PCDF 8.51 15.7 0.0 

UB WHO 1998 -TEQ PCDD/PCDF 22.93 38.87 0.0 

1 

WHO 1998 -TEF 

dl-PCB 

0.0001 PCB 77 264.92 309.16 

0.0001 PCB 81 44.16 32.74 

0.1 PCB 126 36.07 40.42 

0.01 PCB 169 21.21 9.02 

0.0001 PCB 105 562.83 599.75 

0.0005 PCB 114 39.55 46.89 

0.0001 PCB 118 229.55 232.02 

0.0001 PCB 123 139.67 144.80 

0.0005 PCB 156 106.18 121.58 

0.0005 PCB 157 29.58 30.62

0.00001 PCB 167 52.05 51.16 

0.0001 PCB 189 17.03 10.50 

WHO 1998 -TEQ no-PCB 3.85 4.17 0.0 

WHO 1998 -TEQ mo-PCB 0.183 0.199 0.00 

UB WHO 1998 -TEQ PCB 4.03 4.37 0.0 

UB WHO 1998 -TEQ PCDD/PCDF/PCB 26.96 43.24 0.0 

% PCB to Total TEQ 1998 669% 991% #DIV/0! 

ng filter -1 ng filter -1 ng filter - 

UB WHO1998-TEQPCDD/PCDF 22.93 38.87 0.0 

LB WHO1998-TEQPCDD/PCDF 22.87 38.50 0 


UB WHO1998-TEQPCB 4.03 4.37 0.0 

LB WHO1998-TEQPCB 4.03 4.37 0 

Difference 0% 0% 0% 

UB 

WHO1998- 

26.96 43.24 0.0 

TEQPCDD/PCDF/PCB 

LB 

WHO1998- 

26.90 42.87 0 

TEQPCDD/PCDF/PCB 

Difference 0% 0% 0% 

1

Lower-bound Please enter NDs with 0 


WHO 1998 -TEF 

Date 26/04/201 

1 

27/09/201 

1 

No. 1 2 3 



Fat (%) 

Unit pg filter -1 pg filter -1 ng filter - 

PCDD/PCDF 

1 

1 2378-Cl 4 DD 1.75 3.77 

1 12378-Cl 5 DD 

9.03 14.20 

0.1 123478-Cl 6 DD 5.98 7.74 

0.1 123678-Cl 6 DD 11.24 16.56 

0.1 123789-Cl 6 DD 

10.06 14.51 

0.01 1234678-Cl 7 DD 88.08 128.65 

0.0001 Cl 8 DD 

362.82 573.68 

0.1 2378-Cl 4 DF 7.34 16.36 

0.05 12378-Cl 5 DF 0 0 

0.5 23478-Cl 5 DF 

8.94 17.93 

0.1 123478-Cl 6 DF 8.17 12.10 

0.1 123678-Cl 6 DF 

10.22 14.57 

0.1 123789-Cl 6 DF 9.47 13.47 

0.1 234678-Cl 6 DF 

0 0 

0.01 1234678-Cl 7 DF 45.57 68.77 

0.01 1234789-Cl 7 DF 0 0 

0.0001 Cl 8 DF 

32.75 54.71 

WHO 1998 -TEQ PCDD 14.42 23.2 0.0 

WHO 1998 -TEQ PCDF 8.45 15.3 0.0 

LB WHO 1998 -TEQ PCDD/PCDF 22.87 38.50 0.0 

WHO 1998 -TEF 

dl-PCB 

0.0001 PCB 77 264.92 309.16 

0.0001 PCB 81 44.16 32.74 

0.1 PCB 126 36.07 40.42 

0.01 PCB 169 21.21 9.02 

0.0001 PCB 105 562.83 599.75 

0.0005 PCB 114 39.55 46.89 

0.0001 PCB 118 229.55 232.02 

0.0001 PCB 123 139.67 144.80 

0.0005 PCB 156 106.18 121.58 

0.0005 PCB 157 29.58 30.62

0.00001 PCB 167 52.05 51.16 

0.0001 PCB 189 17.03 10.50 

WHO 1998 -TEQ no-PCB 3.85 4.17 0.0 

WHO 1998 -TEQ mo-PCB 0.18 0.20 0.00 

LB WHO 1998 -TEQ PCB 4.03 4.37 0.0 

LB WHO 1998 - 

TEQ PCDD/PCDF/PCB 

26.90 42.87 0.0 

% PCB to Total TEQ 1998 667% 982% #DIV/0! 

Discussion on the Results: 

It is quite evident that the instruments, GC/MS and GC/ECD, are not sensitive enough to detect 

very low concentrations of POPs including PCBs congeners. European laboratories with their 

High Resolution GC/MS were able to detect all contaminants at concentrations ng/kg levels. 

Our workshop in Kingston discussed this aspects and it was decided to apply for grants from 

international granting agencies for capacity building. We think that same conditions exist for 

other Caribbean countries. We recently bought GC/MS(triple quad), but that might not be 

sufficient to detect such low levels as indicated in our results. 

National Meeting to discuss the outcome of Project. 

There was a preliminary meeting at the beginning of the project held at the office of the GEF 

Focal Point, Ministry of Housing, Environment and Water. The meeting was attended by the 

Stakeholders. The second meeting in the form of a Workshop was organized by the Caribbean 

Academy of Sciences, Jamaica on behalf of the Pesticide Research Laboratory to discuss the 

outcome of the project and the way forward. The meeting was attended by the representatives 

from the Ministries of Agriculture, Health and Environment, Pesticide Control Authority, 

Planning Institute of Jamaica, various health sectors and Educational Institutes. The Agenda for 

the Workshop is attached below. 

The meeting was quite successful and various suggestions to continue such a project were 

considered. Several follow up meetings were contemplated. Application for grants to increase 

our capability to detect low levels of contaminants.

Project - Supporting the Implementation of the Global 

Monitoring Plan for POPs in Latin America and 

Caribbean States 

Workshop 

Knutsford Court Hotel – Leeward Suite 

October 13, 2011 

Agenda 

9:00 am - 9:30 am: Registration 

9:30am - 9:45 am: 

Welcome Address by Chairperson 

9:45 am - 10:00 am: Greetings 

10:00 am - 10:30 am: Coffee Break 

10:30 am - 11:00 am: Presentation - Prof. Dasgupta; 

POPs and their effects on Human 

Health and Environment 

11:00 am - 11:30 am: Presentation - Dr. Raymond Reid: 

Results on Air Samples Analyses 

and the Implications

11:30 am - 12:00 noon: Presentation - Ms. Sherine Whyte: 

Discussion on Breast Milk 

Survey in Jamaica 

12:00 noon - 1:30 pm: Lunch Break 

1:30 pm - 3:00 pm Panel Discussion - Discussion of 

results, present status of inventory 

of POPs and way forward 

Panelists: Ms. Gillian Guthrie (Chair); Prof. Tara Dasgupta; Dr. Raymond Reid; 

Ms. Sherine Whyte.

References 

1. Jensen AA. Polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs), polychlorodibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and 

polychlorodibenzofurans (PCDFs) in human milk, blood and adipose tissue. Sci Total 

Environ1987 Jul;64(3):259-93. 

2. Hooper K, McDonald TA. The PBDEs: an emerging environmental challenge and 

another reason for breast-milk monitoring programs. Environ Health Perspect2000 

May;108(5):387-92. 

3. Patandin S, Dagnelie PC, Mulder PG, Op de Coul E, van der Veen JE, Weisglas-Kuperus 

N, et al. Dietary exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls and dioxins from infancy until 

adulthood: A comparison between breast-feeding, toddler, and long-term exposure. 

Environ Health Perspect1999 Jan;107(1):45-51. 

4. Beck H, Dross A, Mathar W. PCDD and PCDF exposure and levels in humans in 

Germany. Environ Health Perspect1994 Jan;102 Suppl 1:173-85. 

5. Yamashita F, Hayashi M. Fetal PCB syndrome: clinical features, intrauterine growth 

retardation and possible alteration in calcium metabolism. Environ Health Perspect1985 

Feb;59:41-5. 

6. Rogan WJ, Gladen BC, Hung KL, Koong SL, Shih LY, Taylor JS, et al. Congenital 

poisoning by polychlorinated biphenyls and their contaminants in Taiwan. Science1988 

Jul 15;241(4863):334-6. 

7. Fein GG, Jacobson JL, Jacobson SW, Schwartz PM, Dowler JK. Prenatal exposure to 

polychlorinated biphenyls: effects on birth size and gestational age. J Pediatr1984 

Aug;105(2):315-20. 

8. Jacobson JL, Jacobson SW. Intellectual impairment in children exposed to 

polychlorinated biphenyls in utero. N Engl J Med1996 Sep 12;335(11):783-9. 

9. Reid RR. The catalytic degradation of polychlorinated biphenyls(PCBs) and the 

determination of the levels of PCBs in some urban and rural areas of Jamaica. 

Unpublished data. Personal Communication,. 

10. World Health Organization. <strong>Report</strong> of the expert consultation on the optimal duration of 

exclusive breastfeeding. <strong>Report</strong> Of An Expert Consultation 

28-30 MARCH 2001; Geneva, Switzerland Department of Nutrition for Health and 

Development, Department of Child and Adolescent Health and Development, World 

Health Organization; 2001. 

11. Black RE, Allen LH, Bhutta ZA, Caulfield LE, de Onis M, Ezzati M, et al. Maternal and 

child undernutrition: global and regional exposures and health consequences. Lancet2008 

Jan 19;371(9608):243-60. 

12. Kramer MS, Kakuma R. Optimal duration of exclusive breastfeeding. Cochrane Database 

Syst Rev2002(1):CD003517

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