| Abstract |
Samples of mother's milk were collected from persons in 5 cities and analyzed by gas chromatography and spectrophotometry for volatile and semivolatile organics. In the volatile fraction, 26 halogenated hydrocarbons, 17 aldehydes, 20 ketones, 11 alcohols, 2 acids, 3 ethers, 1 epoxide, 14 furans, 26 other oxygenated compounds, 4 sulfur-containing compounds, 7 nitrogen-containing compounds, 13 alkanes, 12 alkenes, 7 alkynes, 11 cyclic hydrocarbons, and 15 aromatics were found, including major peaks for hexanol, limonene, dichlorobenzene, and some esters. Semivolatile compounds of interest that were identified in the samples were polychlorinated biphenyls and DDE. Polychlorinated naphthalenes, polybrominated biphenyls, chlorinated phenols, and other compounds were specifically sought but not detected (limit of detection was about 20-100 ng/mL mild). The prevalent halogenated compounds in ambient air and water near 2 New Jersey and 3 Louisiana cities were identified and quantified. Potential emissions from chemical industries in 3 Louisiana cities were listed and quantified. |
