In this study, health risk of human exposure to organohalogenated pollutants (OHPs) through milk consumption was determined. Conventionally produced, unprocessed cow's milk samples taken from Konya District, in Turkey, and 15 different brand ultra-high-temperature (UHT) processed cow's milk samples taken from supermarkets of Turkey were analyzed for organochlorine pesticides (OCPs, α-, β-, γ-, and δ-HCHs, p,p'-DDE, p,p'-DDD, and p,p'-DDT, heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide, endosulfan I, endosulfan II, endosulfan sulfate, endrin, endrin aldehyde, endrin ketone, aldrin + dieldrin, methoxychlor), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs, PCB 28, 52, 101, 153, 138, and 180), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs, PBDE 47, 99, 100, 153, and 154 congeners). Estimated daily intake (EDI) values calculated for both adults and children consuming raw or UHT milk were determined to exceed maximum residue limits (MRLs) set for γ-HCH, ∑Heptachlor, and endrin. EDI values also exceeded admissible daily intake (ADI) values given for ∑HCH, ∑Heptachlor, ∑Endrin aldrin + dieldrin, and ∑PCBs. p,p'-DDT/p,p'-DDE ratio was 1 or higher for 66% of the milk samples, which is an indication of sustaining illegal use of DDT. A health risk is determined for dietary intake of OHPs via consumption of milk.
Keywords: Milk contamination; Organochlorine pesticides; Polybrominated diphenyl ethers; Polychlorinated biphenyls.