Dietary exposure to organochlorine pesticide residues of the Hong Kong adult population from a total diet study

Dietary exposure of the Hong Kong adult population to organochlorine pesticide (OCP) residues was estimated using a total diet study (TDS) approach. OCPs listed under the Stockholm Convention as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) including, aldrin, dieldrin, chlordane, chlordecone, dichlorodiphenyltricholroethane (DDT), endosulfan, endrin, heptachlor, hexachlorobenzene (HCB), α-hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCH), β-HCH, lindane, mirex, pentachlorobenzene and toxaphene, were studied. Out of 600 composite samples, 55% contained one or more OCP residues at detectable levels. The most commonly detected OCP was DDT (32% of all composite samples), followed by HCB (30%) and endosulfan (22%). The lower- and upper-bound mean exposure estimates of OCP residues ranged from 0% to 0.5% and were 0.1–8.4% of their respective health-based guidance values (HBGVs). The lower- and upper-bound 95th percentile exposure estimates ranged from 0% to 1.2% and were 0.1–13.6% of their respective HBGVs. This indicated that dietary exposures to the OCP residues analysed would be unlikely to pose unacceptable health risks to Hong Kong adults.     

Organochlorine pesticide residues in camel,cattle and sheep carcasses slaughtered in Sharkia Province,Egypt

Organochlorine pesticide residues were determined in a total of 270 meat samples; comprising the muscle, liver, and kidney collected from 90 carcasses (30 each of camel, cattle and sheep) slaughtered in Sharkia Province, Egypt. All samples were analyzed for their residual contents of DDT compounds (DDTs), hexachlorocyclohexane isomers (HCHs), lindane (γ-HCH), aldrin, dieldrin, endrin, hexachlorobenzene (HCB), toxaphene, and chlordane compounds. The results indicated that 54.4% (49/90), 51.1% (46/90), 47.8% (43/90), 44.4% (40/90), 33.3% (30/90) and 15.6% (14/90) of the examined carcasses were contaminated with DDTs, HCHs, lindane, aldrin, dieldrin and endrin, respectively. The other contaminants (HCB, toxaphene, and chlordane) were only present in less than 10% of the analyzed carcasses. Amongst the three meat animal species examined, the incidence of contamination as well as the residual concentrations of all the pesticides detected in camel carcasses were lower than those detected for cattle and sheep. The contamination level of the studied organochlorines followed the order: DDTs > HCHs > lindane > dieldrin > aldrin > endrin > toxaphene > HCB > chlordane; while the order for the contamination in the analyzed organs was liver > kidney > muscle. Heat treatment of some selected samples (boiling for 1.5 h) produced overall reductions of 40.4%, 55.0%, 32.4%, 33.5%, 29.2%, 42.7% and 38.2% in DDTs, lindane, dieldrin, aldrin, endrin, toxaphene and HCB contents, respectively. The residual contents of the organochlorines detected in all of the contaminated samples analyzed from the three different species were well below the respective maximal permissible limits set by local or international organizations.     

Residue status of DDT, lindane and metabolites in grain after separation from DDT preparations

The use of insecticides in grain-production plays a minor role in the GDR. Nevertheless grain samples have been tested for DDT, DDE and Lindane residues since 1971 and in addition to this for alpha-, beta-, and delta-HCH as well as for HCB in the last years. These residues are to be traced back to unintentional contamination due to absorption from the soil or to leeway. The grain samples were tested for the residues by GC analysis. From 1971 to 1980 the contamination of grain with DDT and Lindane residues decreased. The alpha-, beta-, and delta-HCH residues as well as those of HCB were found between 0.5 microgram/kg and 5 micrograms/kg. The residues of DDT and HCH were below 0,02 mg/kg, the negligible amounts ("zero tolerance") for these substances fixed in the GDR order on pesticides in foods, or below 0,05 mg/kg in case of HCB, being the tolerance (maximum allowable amount) for this substance.     

Pesticide residues in some Egyptian spices and medicinal plants as affected by processing

Pesticide residues were determined in Egyptian spices and medicinal plants. For this purpose, a total of 303 samples, which represent 20 different plants were collected from sources in Egypt and several shipments All the collected samples were analyzed for the determination of organophosphorus and organochlorine residues. The obtained results showed the predominance of malathion in most of the analyzed samples. The detected concentrations of it in jews mallow, dill, celery, tea, caraway, chamomile and saffron exceeded the maximum permissible levels (MPLs), as did the concentrations of dimethoate in caraway and chamomile samples. Low levels of profenofos, pirmiphos-methyl, chloropyrifos. parathion and diazinon were determined in the analyzed samples. Residues of lindane, aldrin, dieldrin, DDT, chlordane and endrin in chamomile samples exceeded the MPLs. Residues of aldrin and dieldrin in karkade were higher than the MPLs, as was chlordane in peppermint. Residues were not detected in the watery extract when the medicinal plant was boiled in water. Also, immersing the plants in hot water transferred some pesticide residues to the aqueous extract.     

Organochlorine and organophosphorus residues in the fat of domestic farm animal species, Ontario, Canada 1986-1988

During the period 1986-1988 a total of 602 samples of animal products were analysed for organochlorine and organophosphorus pesticides and industrial organic pollutants. Samples of abdominal fat were collected from avian, bovine, caprine, lupine, ovine and porcine species together with hen eggs. The following six compounds were identified in animal tissues: DDE, dieldrin, lindane, PCB, pentachlorophenol and tetrachlorophenol. Pentachlorophenol was the most frequently found contaminant, being identified in 35% of samples, and DDE was the second in 21%. All other contaminants were present in less than 10% of samples. The residues of all six compounds detected were added to give a combined residue. Forty-three per cent of samples had non-detectable residues. A further 31% had combined residues adding to less than 0.01 mg/kg. The highest combined residues ranged between 0.1 and 1.0 mg/kg and were present in 2.8% of samples. One egg sample had a residue of 0.16 mg/kg that exceeded the 0.1 mg/kg maximum residue limit for pentachlorophenol. Residues of chlordane and its metabolites, heptachlor and its epoxide, endosulphan and its sulphate metabolite, dicofol, HCB and mirex were below their detection limits in all samples and no residues of the organophosphorus insecticide listed as applied to livestock were found in meat, fat or egg tissues.     

Residue situation of milk products after the effective carrying out of the "step-by-step program for DDT-replacement" in the GDR

A step-by-step program had been established to replace the persistent insecticide DDT with other active principles in the GDR by 1975. Monthly thin-layer chromatographic residue determinations in butter samples from all the districts demonstrate that the DDT-residues have decreased gradually since 1973 from an average value of 0.45 mg/kg to an average value of 0.18 mg/kg (in 1976). The DDT intake of adults via the milk products (butter, milk and cheese) was, in 1976, only 2% of the ADI value, which evidences a very positive development. Furthermore, findings concerning the contamination with lindane and HCB are presented.     

Organochlorine pesticide and polychlorinated biphenyl residues in slaughtered and game animal fats from the northern part of Poland.

Pooled samples of the adipose fat of swine, cows, sheep, rabbit, ducks, geese, turkeys, wild boar, roe deer and stags collected from the northern part of Poland in 1987-88 were analysed for the presence of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), hexachlorohexanes (HCHs), Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (DDTs), aldrin, dieldrin, heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide and chlordanes (CHLs). All the fats contained detectable, but low concentrations of organochlorine pesticides and PCBs. The mean PCB levels ranged from 9.2 to 47 micrograms/kg of which IUPAC nos. 138, 153, and 180 were dominating congeners in most of the samples. DDT concentrations were apparently lower in fat of the ruminants (45 to 84 micrograms/kg fat) while in rabbits, swine, turkeys and geese, it was from 79 to 140 micrograms/kg fat. Ducks and wild boar had the highest concentrations of 400 and 440 micrograms DDTs/kg fat, respectively. HCB was detected at concentrations ranging from 2.0 to 18 micrograms/kg fat. The total HCH concentration ranged between 15 and 77 micrograms/kg fat. Aldrin and heptachlor remained undetected while dieldrin was found only in some slaughtered species with a range of positive measurements up to 9.1 micrograms/kg fat. Similarly, heptachlor expoxide was traced up to 9.1 micrograms/kg fat and the residues of CHLs from 0.34 to 4.1 micrograms/kg fat.     

Persistent organochlorine pesticide levels in bovine fat from Mexico.

Organochlorine pesticides have been used in Mexico in agriculture as a seed dresser, in sanitation, in malaria control programmes and in livestock to combat ectoparasites. The pesticides applied drift to areas where cattle graze and plants grow. Because of their chemical stability, they accumulate in the lipid-rich tissues of the body. In the body, they circulate throughout all compartments and accumulate in adipose fat. The aim was to monitor the organochlorine pesticide levels in bovine muscle fat and kidney fat from cows living in an endemic malaria zone, where the environmental contamination can be suspected as being higher. Two hundred samples (100 muscle fat, 100 kidney fat) were analysed by gas chromatography. From the pesticides, only hexachlorobenzene (HCB), beta-hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), gamma-HCH, pp'-1.1.1-trichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDT), op'-DDT and pp'-DDE, were detected frequently and at levels above the detection limits. The HCB mean level was low at 0.009 mg kg(-1) on a fat basis. From the HCH isomers, beta-HCH mean concentration was 0.039 mg kg(-1) and gamma-HCH was 0.025 mg kg(-1) on a fat basis. Among DDTs, pp'-DDT was the major constituent (0.032 mg kg(-1) on a fat basis) followed by pp'-DDE (0.025 mg kg(-1) on a fat basis) and op'-DDT (0.023 mg kg(-1) on a fat basis). The DDT total (sigma DDT) level was 0.067 mg kg(-1) on a fat basis. Comparing the previous study (1994) and the present one (2002-03), organochlorine pesticide levels were decreased. HCB decreased 3.7 times from 0.033 to 0.009 mg kg(-1) on a fat basis; beta-HCH decreased 3.8 times from 0.149 to 0.039 mg kg(-1) on a fat basis; pp'-DDE did not reveal a significant difference at 0.026 versus 0.025 mg kg(-1) on a fat basis. However, pp'-DDT decreased substantially, 6.7 times from 0.215 to 0.032 mg kg(-1) on a fat basis. The DDT total decreased 3.5 times from 0.236 to 0.067 mg kg(-1) on a fat basis. The tendency for reduced concentrations in organochlorine pesticide levels in Mexican cows is caused by their substitution with pyrethroids used in agriculture and by the Mexican Ministry of Health in sanitary programmes.     

Organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls in livers of cod from the southern Baltic, 1981

471 samples of livers of cod netted in July 1981 in seven fishing grounds in the southern part of the Baltic were analysed for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), DDT and its metabolites (DDE and DDD), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), and isomers of benzenehexachloride (alpha-, beta-, gamma- and delta-BHC). Polychlorinated biphenyls resembling Chlopten A 60 were the predominating pollutants and their level ranged from trace amounts to 79 mg/kg. In the individual wet cod livers sigma DDT level ranged from 0.22 to 15 mg/kg. alpha-BHC, gamma-BHC and HCB levels ranged from not detectable levels to 0.29, 1.1 and 0.42 mg/kg, respectively. beta-BHC was detectable in most of the samples in trace amounts and delta-BHC was undetected. The levels of HCB, DDT and analogues and PCBs in the cod livers correlated with the length of the fish. The residue levels of sigma DDT in cod livers declined. The larger cod contained in their livers substantial levels of PCBs, and also of sigma DDT. However some local differences in pollution pattern were observed. The livers of cod from the Southern Baltic are relatively highly contaminated with these substances and the use of these products for human consumption is still questionable.     

Organochlorine content of milks, dairy products and animal feed ingredients: Ireland 1971-1972.

Milks (bovine and human) and dairy products (butter, cheese, skim and whey powders, calf-replacer, casein, butter-oil and dietetic food) were collected during 1971/2 throughout Ireland together with a more limited samples of the 10 major animal feed ingredients, and analysed for organochlorine insecticide residues using electron-capture gas chromatography. The different materials contained low or negligible levels of chlorinated insecticides. Apart from some of the animal feed ingredients the DDT residues were generally the predominant contaminants detected together with lower levels of gamma-BHC (lindane), aldrin/dieldrin and heptachlor/heptachlor epoxide. The maximum levels of these insecticides in the bovine milk and dairy products (511, 100, 62 and 21 mug/kg fat respectively) constitute only 50% or less of the Codex Tolerance Limits. The correspondingly low residue levels in the human milk (maxima of 128, 1, 1, and 5 mug/kg fat respectively) which at most represent insecticidal ingestion by infants equivalent to 13, 0-05, 5 and 5% respectively of the WHO/FAO acceptable daily intake for DDE, gamma-BHC, aldrin/dieldrin and heptachlor/heptachlor epoxide again pose no obvious health hazards and are strongly indicative of negligible organochlorine contamination in the general diet. The samples of animal feed ingredients examined also contained trace levels of ogranochlorines (maxima of 0-9, 0-1, 1-6 and 1-0 mug/kg respectively). More extensive monitoring of the residues in animal feed ingredients (the most probable source of milk contamination is advocated, and the desirability of tolerance limits for insecticides in animal feeds discussed.     

Organochlorine pesticide residues in domestic fowl (Gallus domesticus) eggs from central Kenya

In 367 domestic fowl (Gallus domesticus) eggs collected from 61 farms, residues of 10 pesticides were detected in various combinations and in the following order of frequency: p,p′-DDE (in 100% of the eggs), p,p′-DDT (98%), dieldrin (95%), Indiane (66%), p,p′-DDD (46%), o,p′-DDT (17%), β-HCH (9%), γ-HCH (5%), endrin (4%) and aldrin (0–5%). No residues of heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide, HCB or PCBs were found. The mean concentration (0–70 mg kg^?1 eggs; range <0–01–10–25) of total DDT exceeded the extraneous residue limit (ERL) of 0–50 mg kg^?1. The mean dieldrin residue level (0–35 mg kg^?1; range 0–01–14–90) was 3–5 times higher than the ERL (0–10 mg kg^?1). Only 3% of the eggs exceeded the ERL for Indane. The 156 eggs from free-range hens had significantly (P<0–05) higher residue concentrations of total DDT, dieldrin and Iindane than eggs collected from hens kept in enclosures. The mean ratio [p,p′-DDT]/[p,p′-DDE] in eggs from enclosed hens (0–97) was significantly higher (P<0–01) than in eggs from free-range hens (0–53), indicating that the former had a more direct exposure to p,p′-DDT, whereas the latter obtained more of it after environmental conversion to p,p′-DDE. Eggs from a rice-growing area had the highest concentrations of all pesticide residues detected. Accumulation ratios indicated that the levels of DDT and Iindane in the feed of enclosed hens could account for the levels in the corresponding eggs. The much higher accumulation ratios calculated for the free-range hens demonstrated that the feed ingested by these chickens obviously contained ingredients additional to those sampled, and revealed probable extensive environmental contamination by these persistent pesticides. The present results indicate that there is a need to identify sources of dieldrin in the eggs of domestic fowls and, where necessary to investigate local wildlife samples. The amounts of total DDT and dieldrin in eggs in this study seem to be higher than reported from any other country. Toxicological evaluation of the results indicates that, at lest in parts of KEnya there is a need for improved practices in the use of some organochlorine pesticides.     

Assessment of the levels of chlorinated pesticides in breast milk in Kuwait

Breast milk samples, randomly collected from 32 Kuwaiti donors were analysed for chlorinated pesticides. DDE residues ranged from 127 to 3333 micrograms/kg, averaging, 833 micrograms/kg, expressed on a fat weight basis. DDT levels ranged from 0.6 to 67 micrograms/kg fat and averaged 12.4 micrograms/kg, fat. High DDE/DDT ratios were found, which indicated that the exposure to DDT, in most cases, happened quite some time ago. In addition many of the samples also contained isomers of HCH, heptachlor-epoxide, aldrin, dieldrin and endrin. Residue levels of non-DDT pesticides were generally low. Overall levels of DDT-pesticides in Kuwaiti milk samples were lower than levels reported from other Middle Eastern countries, although methodologies may not be directly comparable.     

Organochlorine pesticide residues in cow's milk from a tropical region of Mexico

A monitoring study was conducted to assess the magnitude of DDT [(1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis( p -chlorophenyl)ethane)] and HCH (hexachlorocyclohexane) contamination of bovine milk from the central tropical region of Mexico as the chemicals are extensively used in livestock and public-health programmes. Among pesticide residues analysed, the milk samples collected from Tlalixcoyan showed a mean level of γ-HCH (0.128 mg kg -1 ), which was significantly higher than residues in milk samples from Medellin (0.049 mg kg -1 ) and Paso San Juan (0.022 mg kg -1 ). The mean level of pp '-DDE in Medellin samples (0.039 mg kg -1 ) was significantly higher than in Paso San Juan (0.018 mg kg -1 ) and Tlalixcoyan (0.024 mg kg -1 ) milk samples. The pp '-DDT mean level from Medellin milk samples (0.089 mg kg -1 ) was significantly higher than the levels detected in the other two areas. The highest mean Σ-DDT level detected in Medellin samples (0.146 mg kg -1 ) was three times the FAO/WHO tolerance level. The highest acceptable daily intakes calculated for Σ-DDT were 0.017 μg kg -1 bw day -1 for adults and 0.530 μg kg -1 bw day -1 for infants; for γ-HCH residues, they were 0.021 μg kg -1 bw day -1 for adults and 0.666 μg kg -1 bw day -1 for infants, indicating that infants are more exposed to pesticide residues. Results indicate that cattle exposure to HCH and DDT results in high levels in dairy milk and a potential health risk for consumers.     

Pesticide residues in foodstuffs in Great Britain. IX. Aldrin, dieldrin and other organochlorine pesticide residues in potatoes and carrots

Potatoes from 186 commercial crops from fields treated with aldrin or dieldrin in the year of cropping contained mean residues of aldrin plus dieldrin of 0.01 ppm in the flesh and 0.1 ppm in the skin. Seventy crops from fields that had been treated with aldrin or dieldrin in years previous to the year of cropping and forty-four crops from reputedly untreated fields contained mean residues of aldrin/dieldrin of less than 0.01 ppm in the flesh and 0.02 ppm in the skin. Alpha- and/or gamma-BHC were detected in trace or greater amounts in 73% and pp' DDE in 10% of the samples. Carrots from 97 commercial crops from fields treated with aldrin or dieldrin in the year of cropping contained mean residues of aldrin plus dieldrin of less than 0.01 ppm in the flesh and 0.21 ppm in the skin. Fifty crops from fields that had been treated with aldrin or dieldrin in years previous to the year of cropping contained mean residues of aldrin/dieldrin of less than 0.01 ppm in the flesh and 0.07 ppm in the skin. Six crops from reputedly untreated fields contained a mean residue of less than 0.01 ppm dieldrin in the skin only. Alpha- and gamma-BHC were found in the majority of the samples (mean total residue of less than 0.01 ppm in the flesh and 0.03 ppm in the skin) but pp' DDE and/or pp' DDT were detected in only 12% of the samples.     

Fate of pesticides in the arid subtropics, Botswana, Southern Africa

Despite a history of pesticide usage, few data exist on their concentrations in air and soil of Southern Africa. To add to the understanding of the processes controlling the fate of organic contaminants in arid regions, the levels, spatial trends, and seasonal variability of pesticides were studied in air and soil from Botswana. XAD resin-based passive air samplers (PAS) were deployed at 15 sites across the country from May 2006 to May 2007. Soil samples were collected from the vicinity of nine of the PAS sampling sites. In addition, 27 24-h high-volume air samples were collected in Maun, at the southeastern edge of the Okavango Delta, every two weeks for one year. Levels of pesticides in PAS were low, with α-endosulfan and lindane being most abundant. Concentrations in soils were extremely low and only soils with high organic carbon contained notable amounts of dieldrin and traces of other pesticides. In particular, air and soil from the Okavango Delta had very low levels even though the area had repeatedly been sprayed with DDT and endosulfan in the past. Air samples from Eastern Botswana, where the majority of the population lives, contained higher levels. Higher air concentrations of α-endosulfan occurred during summer and higher HCB levels occurred in winter. This seasonality was related with neither minor seasonal changes in temperature nor hydrological seasonal events such as the rainy season or the flooding of the Okavango Delta. Thus, the observed spatial and seasonal patterns are more likely related to pesticide usage pattern than to environmental factors or historical use. High temperature and low organic matter content limit the uptake capacity of most subtropical soils for pesticides. No evidence was found that sorption to dry mineral matter plays a major role. Arid soils in subtropical regions are therefore neither a major reservoir of organic contaminants nor do they constitute a significant long-term source of pesticides to the atmosphere.     

Dissipation rates of iprodione and thiacloprid during tomato production in greenhouse

The behaviour of the insecticide thiacloprid and the fungicide iprodione was investigated in greenhouse tomato fruits, when both pesticides were applied in two different rates (normal dose-ND, and double dose-DD). Thiacloprid residues were below the already established EU MRLs (0.5 mg/kg) 2 and 7 days after ND and DD application, respectively. Iprodione residues were always below EU MRLs (5 mg/kg) in both application rates. The impact of storage on pesticide residues in tomatoes was also assessed. Significantly higher iprodione residue levels were observed during post harvest storage compared with those determined in fresh harvested tomatoes. Mean residue levels determined in fresh harvested tomatoes 12 days after iprodione application were 0.69 mg/kg whereas, in post harvest tomatoes stored for the same period was 0.86 mg/kg. On the contrary, no differences were noticed in thiacloprid residues between post harvest stored and fresh harvested tomatoes. Model equations that best describe the dissipation curves obtained from the experimental data of iprodione and thiacloprid in tomatoes showing different behaviour of the two pesticides. Half-life period of iprodione in ND treatment, calculated by the best fitted experimental data, (2nd order model) was 6.8 days, whilst for thiacloprid the best fitted to experimental data, model equation (R.F. 1st order model) gave a half-life of 1.9 days.     

ANALYSIS OF PORK PRODUCTS FOR CHEMICAL RESIDUES

Ham (n=29), pork sausage (n=27), and pork subcutaneous adipose tissue (n=71) samples were analyzed for a maximum of 25 different chlorinated hydrocarbon/organophosphate pesticide/metabolite residues by gas chromatography. Furthermore, 13 samples each of adipose tissue, kidney, liver and muscle (total, n=52) were collected from commercial hog slaughter facilities and analyzed for diethylstilbestrol, zeranol, trenbolone acetate, azaperone and propiopromazine (tranquilizers), clenbuterol, and carazolol. Results showed that none of the adipose tissue samples contained pesticide residue levels greater than the detection threshold of 0.05 ppm. Five ham samples contained detectable (>0.003ppm), but nonviolative residue levels of dichloro-diphenylchloroethane (DDE) and alpha-benzene hexachloride (α-BHC). Six sausage samples contained detectable (> 0.05ppm) but nonviolative levels of diazinon, dichlorodiphenyltri-chloroethane (DDT), tetrachlorodiphenylethane (DDD), DDE, lindane or alpha, beta and delta isomers of BHC. None of the pork tissue samples contained tranquilizers or other drug residues at levels higher than the detection threshold of 1 ppb.     

Residues of insecticides and fungicides on Ontario-grown vegetables, 1986-1988

Between 1986 and 1988, 433 composite vegetable samples representing 16 commodities were collected from farm deliveries to the marketplace in Ontario, Canada. All samples were analysed for insecticides and fungicides. The analyses included organochlorine, organophosphorus, synthetic pyrethroid, and N-methylcarbamate insecticides and dithiocarbamate, dicarboximide, and organochlorine fungicides. The commodities tested included asparagus, beans, carrots, celery, cole crops, cucumbers, lettuce, onions, peppers, potatoes, radishes, rutabagas and tomatoes. In 64% of samples, no pesticide residues were identified to the limits of detection which ranged from 0.005 to 0.05 mg/kg. A further 22% had combined insecticide and fungicide residues below 0.1 mg/kg. Most of the positive findings were a fraction of the Maximum Residue Limit permitted for each commodity under the Canadian Food and Drugs Act and Regulation. Three samples (0.7%) had residues that exceeded the MRL. These involved diazinon and parathion on celery and chlorothalonil on peppers. While some commodities had no detectable residues others had measurable residues of up to three separate pesticides. The most were found on celery, lettuce and field tomatoes.     

Chlorinated pesticide residues in milk of Iranian nursing mothers.

One-hundred-thirty-one samples of human milk were collected during October, 1974, to January, 1976, throughout the Tehran area. Sources included four maternity hospitals as well as individual nursing mothers outside of hospitals. The samples were collected 1 to 8 days after child birth from women 14 to 42 yr old and from all social strata. The samples were analyzed for chlorinated pesticide residues by gas-liquid chromatography. Insecticides 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDT) (with its metabolites), isomer of benzene hexachloride (gamma BHC), and dieldrin were detected in varying concentration in 101, 108, and 47 samples, respectively. The means and ranges were .024 (.001 to .333) ppm, .008 (.001 to .046) ppm, and (.001 to .028) ppm. These concentrations in human milk represented insecticidal ingestion by infants. The mean dieldrin exceeded the World Health Organization limit and may pose a health hazard. There was no significant relationship between economic status of donors and pesticide in the milk; however, milk from the older nursing mothers contained more DDT than that from young mothers.     

Organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls in cod from the southern Baltic, 1981

98 samples of muscle tissue of cod ranging form 51 to 60 cm in total length and netted in 1981 in the southern part of the Baltic Sea were analysed for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), DDT and its metabolites (DDE and DDD), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), and isomers of benzenehexachloride (alpha-, beta-, gamma- and delta-BHC). Mean values obtained related to wet weight for cod muscle tissue were: 0.77 micrograms kg/HCB, 0.71 micrograms kg/alpha-BHC, 3.8 micrograms kg/gamma-BHC, 5.2 micrograms kg/p,p'-DDe, 2.6 micrograms kg/p,p'-DDD, 2.6 micrograms kg/p,p'-DDT, 10 micrograms kg/sigma DDT and 180 micrograms kg/PCB; beta-BHC was detectable in trace amounts and delta-BHC was undetected. Generally residue levels of organochlorine pesticides and PCBs found in the muscles were low, and substantial decrease of sigma DDT and less of PCB levels in recent years when compared with data noted in 1969-1970 and 1972-1974 is noticeable.