Chlorpyrifos in Human Breast Milk?
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University of Tennessee, Knoxville TRACE: Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange Doctoral Dissertations Graduate School 12-2005 Chlorpyrifos in Human Breast Milk? Karyn Ann Casey University of Tennessee - Knoxville Follow this and additional works at: https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_graddiss Part of the Nursing Commons Recommended Citation Casey, Karyn Ann, "Chlorpyrifos in Human Breast Milk?. " PhD diss., University of Tennessee, 2005. https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_graddiss/672 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at TRACE: Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange. It has been accepted for inclusion in Doctoral Dissertations by an authorized administrator of TRACE: Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange. For more information, please contact [email protected]. To the Graduate Council: I am submitting herewith a dissertation written by Karyn Ann Casey entitled "Chlorpyrifos in Human Breast Milk?." I have examined the final electronic copy of this dissertation for form and content and recommend that it be accepted in partial fulfillment of the equirr ements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, with a major in Nursing. Maureen Groer, Major Professor We have read this dissertation and recommend its acceptance: Johnnie Mozingo, Mitzi Davis, Patricia Droppleman, Donald Creasia Accepted for the Council: Carolyn R. Hodges Vice Provost and Dean of the Graduate School (Original signatures are on file with official studentecor r ds.) To the Graduate Council: I am submitting herewith a dissertation written by Karyn Ann Casey entitled "Chlorpyrifos in Human Breast Milk?" I have examined the final paper copy of this dissertation for form and content and recommend that it be accepted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor Of Philosophy, with a major in Nursing. ~A. ll-ll..,Ll....Q-c\., (~o~ \J Maureen Groer, Major Professor We have read this dissertation nd re,commend its acceptance: Accepted for the Council: Vice Chancello. ~ Graduate Studies r{ CHLORPYRIFOS IN HUMAN BREAST MILK? J A Dissertation Presented for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree The University of Tennessee, Knoxville Karyn A. Casey December 2005 L DEDICATION This dissertation is dedicated to my husband and love of my life, Dr. Mike Casey (the Real Doctor), the other love in my life, my son, Michael John-Kent Casey, and my family. Thank you for your love, support, guidance and confidence. I am truly blessed to have you all in my life. ii T ACKNOWLEDGMENTS A dissertation is a culmination of challenges, luck, and expertise. There are many experts who are responsible for me completing the Doctorate of Philosophy Degree in Nursing. First and foremost, Dr. Maureen Groer. Wow, where do I begin? I guess I can say that it was fate that brought me to your office that day. Your knowledge of and passion for nursing is insurmountable. You laughed at my jokes, held my hand when I cried and instilled confidence in me when I did not believe in myself. For that, I am eternally grateful. You are an incredible teacher, a great friend, and a fantastic mentor. Second, I would like to thank my committee members. I certainly know how to pick them! Dr. Johnnie Mozingo, Dr. Mitzi Davis, Dr. Pat Droppleman, and the only man in the group, Dr. Don Creasia. You guys are incredible! Thank you for your compassion, your willingness to go out on a limb, and above all your expertise. The final product is a result of your valuable insight and wisdom. Credit must also go to Dr. Terry Schultz. Where would I be without you! I have come a long way from that first day in your office. I am sure I scared you as much as you scared me! Thank you for taking me beyond my limits and pushing me to dig deep within myself. You are truly a student advocate and an exceptional teacher. Third, I would like to thank Janet. Girl, I don't know how you do it but you manage to keep everyone in line, including myself. Your skills and knowledge of computers and documents, and the list goes on, is unbelievable. Thank you for all you hard work. iii Finally, I want to thank my family and friends. Mike, I don't know how to thank you for your endless support and confidence in me. You are truly an Angel of God. Michael, I hope you grow up to be like your daddy. Thank you for all the sacrifices you made when you wanted me to play with you. I promise to make it up to you. Mom and dad, gosh what a gem you two are! Where would I be without you! Thank you for all the kind words of support and endless phone calls, not to mention the computer skills. We did it! Mimi and papa, I cannot thank you enough for all the times you took care of Michael for me. It is only because of you that I was able to finish this degree! Amy and Susan, you also have a part to play in this degree as well. Thank you for your support and friendshipl And to the great man above, I've come a long way and I hope I've made you proud. I love you all so much and am so grateful to all of you. iv ABSTRACT The widespread use of pesticides by farmers, pest control operators and even the general public can pose significant risks to children's health. One particular pesticide, chlorpyrifos, was the most widely used pesticide in the United States with total use estimated at approximately 30 million pounds per year. Young children and the developing fetus are far more susceptible to the effects of pesticide exposure as a result of unusual exposure patterns and developmental immaturities. Transplacental transfer and lactational exposure are the pathways exclusive to the developing fetus and infant. Chlorpyrifos exposure is of special concern in this population because of its potential for disruption of normal brain function and cognitive development. The purpose of this study was to determine the concentration of chlorpyrifos in three different biological specimens: breast milk, plasma, and saliva. The research method employed for this study was a secondary analysis of existing samples collected for the purposes of a prior study. Based on specimen availability, there were a total of 26 subjects each for the lactating group and the non-lactating group. The lactation group had 26 matched breast milk, plasma and saliva samples and the non-lactation group had 26 matched plasma and saliva samples. The biological specimens were tested in the laboratory using an assay specific to chlorpyrifos. The Chlorpyrifos RaPID Assay was developed by Strategic Diagnostics, Inc and had a detection limit of 0.1 ng/ml (ppb) and a linear range of 0.22 to 3.0 ng/ml (ppb). v Overall, for the lactation group, 25/26 samples were positive for chlorpyrifos with milk concentrations significantly higher than plasma or salivary concentrations. 19126 plasma samples were positive and 10/26 saliva samples were positive for chlorpyrifos. For the non-lactation group, 23/26 plasma samples were positive for chlorpyrifos and 16/26 saliva samples were positive. In addition, the plasma chlorpyrifos concentrations were significantly higher than salivary concentrations in the non-lactation group. Comparing the two groups, salivary chlorpyrifos concentrations were significantly higher in the lactation group. There is mounting evidence of pesticide contamination in the breast milk of lactating women. This study has contributed to this knowledge by documenting chlorpyrifos concentrations in breast milk, plasma, and saliva of lactating and non-lactating mothers. However, further research needs to be done to determine what these chemicals are doing to our children. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter ................................................................................................ Page I. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................... 1 Pesticides......................................................................................... 1 Insecticides........................................................................... 6 Chlorpyrifos .......................................................................... 8 Exposure Assessment ................................................................... 11 Lactational transfer pathway .............................................. 12 Effects Assessment ....................................................................... 18 Statement of the Problem .............................................................. 23 Purpose of the Study ..................................................................... 24 Theoretical Framework .................................................................. 25 Delimitations .................................................................................. 31 Limitations...................................................................................... 31 Significance.................................................................................... 32 II. LITERATURE REVIEW ....................................................................... 33 Exposure Assessment ................................................................... 33 Oral exposure .................................................................... 33 Dermal exposure ................................................................ 37 Inhalation exposure ............................................................ 39 Take-home exposure .........................................................41 Transplacental exposure .................................................... 42 Lactational exposure .........................................................