Organochlorine pesticide residue levels in blood serum of inhabitants from Veracruz, Mexico

The objective of the present study was to monitor the levels of organochlorine pesticides HCB; α-, β-, γ-HCH; pp'DDE; op'DDT; and pp'DDT in blood serum of Veracruz, Mexico inhabitants. Organochlorine pesticides were analyzed in 150 blood serum samples that constituted that which remained after clinical analyses, using gas chromatography-electron-capture detection (GC-ECD). The results were expressed as milligrams per kilogram on fat basis and micrograms per liter on wet weight. Only the following pesticides were detected: p,p'-DDE was the major organochlorine component, detected in 100% of samples at mean 15.8 mg/kg and 8.4 μg/L; p,p'-DDT was presented in 41.3.% of monitored samples at mean 3.1 mg/kg and 1.4 μg/L; β-HCH was found in 48.6% of the samples at mean 4.9 mg/kg and 2.7 μg/L; op'DDT was determined to be in only 3.3% of monitored samples at mean 2.7 mg/kg and 1.4 μg/L. The pooled samples divided according to sex showed significant differences of β-HCH and pp'DDE concentrations in females. The samples grouped according to age presented the third tertile as more contaminated in both sexes, indicating age as a positively associated factor with serum organochlorine pesticide levels in Veracruz inhabitants.     

A preliminary investigation of BDE-209, OCPs, and PAHs in urban road dust from Yangtze River Delta, China

Urban road dust samples were collected from different land use areas in Suzhou, Wuxi, and Nantong, Yangtze River Delta, China. The dust samples were analyzed for the levels and compositional profiles of deca-polybrominated diphenyl ethers (Deca-BDE), 22 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), and 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The levels of BDE-209, ∑OCPs, and ∑PAHs in samples ranged from 4.01–1,439 μg/kg, 3.15–615 μg/kg, and 2.24–58.2 mg/kg, respectively. PAHs were the predominant target compounds in road dust samples, comprising on average 97.7 % of total compounds. The spatial gradient of the pollutants (commercial/residential area> industrial area > urban park concentrations) was observed in the present study. The results indicated that the levels of BDE-209, OCPs, and PAHs observed in road dust were usually linked to anthropogenic activities in the urban environment. In addition, there might be a reflection of current usage or emissions of OCPs in urban environment.     

Assessment of risk to public health posed by persistent organochlorine pesticide residues in milk and milk products in Mumbai, India

The risk posed by the presence of organochlorine pesticides in milk and milk products was estimated for the population of Mumbai. To determine the levels of organochlorine pesticides in milk and milk products, a monitoring study was carried out in and around Mumbai City. 520 samples of milk and milk products of different brands were considered in this study. A survey was also conducted to determine the mean daily consumption of milk and milk products by different age groups and this data was used to evaluate the daily exposure to the public. Non-cancer effects were evaluated by comparing the predicted exposure distributions to the published guidance values. For chemicals identified as potential human carcinogens, cancer risk was evaluated using standard methodology. The majority of the chlorinated pesticides identified in the milk and milk product samples studied were found to be at levels which do not pose unacceptable risks to the public, with the exception of alpha-HCH. The cancer risk estimated for this chemical slightly exceeds the US EPA guidance value.     

Distribution of persistent organochlorine chemical residues in blood plasma of three species of vultures from India

The presence of persistent organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were determined in blood plasma of white-backed vulture Gyps bengalensis, Egyptian vulture Neophron percnopterus, and griffon vulture Gyps fulvus collected from Ahmedabad, India. All the samples had varying levels of organochlorine pesticides and PCBs. Statistically significant (P?<?0.05) differences among species were detected for beta-hexachlorocyclohexane (??-HCH), ??HCH, and dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane (DDT). The mean concentration of ??HCH, ??DDT, and ??PCBs among plasma ranged from 43.7 to 136, 8.8 to 64.8, and 226 to 585 ng/ml, respectively. Among the various OCPs analyzed, 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethylene (p,p ^??-DDE) was detected most frequently. The concentrations of cyclodiene insecticides detected were lower than the other organochlorine residues. The levels of pesticides measured in plasma samples of three species of vulture were comparable to the results documented for a number of avian species and were lower than those reported to have deleterious effects on survival or reproduction of birds. Although no threat is posed by any of the organochlorine pesticides detected, continuous monitoring of breeding colonies is recommended. This study is also the first account of a comprehensive analysis of toxicants present in blood plasma of vulture species in India. The values reported in this study can serve as guidelines for future research in general as well as control values during the analysis of samples obtained from birds in the event of suspected organochlorine poisoning.     

Organochlorine pesticide (OCP) residues in cow??s, buffalo??s, and sheep??s milk from Afyonkarahisar region, Turkey

In this study, it was aimed to determine organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in three types of milk (cow's, buffalo's, and sheep's milk) produced in Afyonkarahisar province of Turkey. The results indicated that these milk specimens were found to be contaminated by 21 different pesticides. Sixteen OCP residues were detected in sheep's milk and it was followed with 14 pesticides in buffalo's milk and 11 pesticides in cow's milk. Dominant pesticides in all samples examined were beta-HCH in buffalo's, cow's, and sheep's milk in the concentrations of 63.36, 91.32, and 122.98 ng/ml, respectively. Total OCP levels were found to be 243.81 ng/ml in sheep's milk, 151.02 ng/ml in cow's milk, and 133.38 ng/ml in buffalo's milk. Some of the pesticides detected were found to be in the excess amount of the acceptable level regarding the EU regulations.     

加速溶剂萃取-凝胶净化色谱-气相色谱质谱法测定农用地土壤中有机氯农药方法研究

通过对加速溶剂萃取、平行蒸发及净化方法等环节的优化实验,建立了加速溶剂萃取-凝胶净化色谱-气相色谱质谱法测定农用地土壤中23种有机氯农药的检测方法。结果表明,方法检出限为0.0034~0.0052 mg/kg;对化合物质量分数为0.25 mg/kg的土壤加标样品进行平行实验,回收率为82.0%~93.7%;测定结果的相对标准偏差（RSD）≤8.7%。对土壤有证标准质控样品进行分析,测定结果均在验收范围之内。该方法准确可靠,灵敏度较高,样品净化效果较好,能够满足农用地土壤中有机氯农药残留痕量分析的要求。     

The Contamination Levels of Organochlorine Pesticides in Water and Sediment Samples in Uluabat Lake, Turkey

The Uluabat Lake is a reservoir of 125 km² surface area, in the boundaries of Bursa province, Turkey. The results showed that Uluabat Lake was still contaminated by organochlorine pesticides and their residues despite the existence of bans over a long time. Considerable amounts of organochlorine pesticides (HCB, p.p^′-DDT, p.p^′- DDE, α -, β- and γ-BHC, Aldrin, Heptachlor epoxide, Endrin, Endosulfan I and II) were detected in water and sediment samples during one-year study in this lake. Samples of water and sediment were collected in different regions, (6 sampling point) of the lake between February 2002 and November 2002.The mean levels of organochlorine pesticides in water and sediments were determined. According to results, it was found that various environs in Uluabat Lake were contaminated by 11 different organochlorine pesticides. Residue analyses showed that higher organochlorine pesticides and their residues were generally more accumulated in the sediment samples.     

气相色谱—串联质谱法检测水中苯霜灵、甲霜灵、噁霜灵残留量

建立水中甲霜灵、苯霜灵、噁霜灵农药残留量的气相色谱—串联质谱(GC-MS/MS)的检测分析方法。样品采用乙腈提取、固相萃取(SPE)柱净化。采用GC-MS/MS分析时,三种农药在15 mim内完全分离并流出。添加浓度加标回收率为80.6%~88.4%,相对标准偏差(RSD)小于5.0%。在0.01~0.20 mg/L质量浓度范围之间线性关系良好(r~20.999 0)。该方法的灵敏度、精密度和准确度均满足农药残留分析要求,适用于水中的农药残留的快速筛查与定性、定量分析。     

Analysis of pesticide residues in Peninsular Malaysian waterways

The use of organochlorine pesticides has caused concern due to their effects on human health and the Malaysian aquatic ecosystem, particularly so in view of their persistent and bioaccumulative properties. Since the extent of organochlorine pesticide pollution in Malaysian waterways is unknown except for isolated instances, a systematic survey has now been carried out. Water samples from various rivers were extracted, cleaned up with Florisil and analysed for the individual organochlorine pesticides by gas chromatography (GC) with an electron capture detector (ECD). DDE, DDT and heptachlor were present in all the river water samples of the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Other organochlorine pesticides were also identified from the water samples. However, the levels of all these are still below criteria values for Malaysian aquatic life, indicating that organochlorine pesticide pollution is less of a problem than other organic or inorganic pollutants.     

固相萃取-GC/MS法测定水中16种有机氯农药

采用HLB固相萃取柱富集水样,乙酸乙酯溶剂洗脱,加入氘代菲作为内标,利用气相色谱/质谱联用法选择离子模式测定水中16种有机氯农药,优化了固相萃取条件。16种有机氯农药在5.00μg/L~250μg/L范围内线性良好,按1 L水样计算,方法最低检出限为1.4 ng/L~19.4 ng/L,相对标准偏差为3.5%~20.0%,平均加标回收率为44.7%~119%。     

Persistent organochlorine pesticide residues in animal feed

Animal products like milk and meat are often found to be contaminated with residues of persistent pesticides and other toxic substances. The major source of entry of these compounds to animal body is the contaminated feed and fodder. So, unless the residues are managed at this stage, it is very difficult to prevent contamination in milk and meat. Therefore, the status of residue level of most persistent organochlorinated pesticides (OCP) in feed and fodder should be monitored regularly. The frequency of occurrence and contamination levels of OCP residues in different kinds of animal concentrate feed and straw samples collected from Bundelkhand region of India were determined. Out of 533 total samples, 301 i.e. 56.47% samples were positive containing residues of different OCPs like hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) isomers, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) complex, endosulfan and dicofol. Among different HCH isomers, the mean concentration of ??-HCH was highest, and total HCH varied from 0.01 to 0.306 mg kg^???1. In case of DDT complex, i.e. DDD, DDE and DDT, the concentration ranged between 0.016 and 0.118 mg kg^???1 and the pp^| isomers were more frequently encountered than their op^| counterparts. Endosulfan was also found in some samples in concentration ranging from 0.009 to 0.237 mg/kg, but dicofol could be recorded in very few samples. Although feed samples were found to contain OC residues, after comparing their levels in positive samples with the limiting values of respective pesticides, only very few were found to exceed the threshold level. Otherwise, they were mostly within safe limits.     

Pesticides residues in okra (non-target crop) grown close to a watermelon farm in Ghana

The study looked at the levels of pesticides in okra grown close to a watermelon farm herein referred to as a non-target crop. The watermelon received some pesticide application in the course of its cultivation, and the okra which was not meant to be sprayed was also affected by the pesticide. About 500 okra samples were collected for a period of 6 weeks and pesticides extracted with 1:1 n-hexane and dichloromethane which was analysed with Agilent 2222 GC/MS coupled with 389 auto-sampler. The results confirmed accumulation of significant levels of pesticides in the non-target crop (okra grown close to watermelon farm). Levels of organochlorine pesticides ranged from 3.10 to 7.60 μg/kg whilst the organophosphorus pesticides had levels ranging from 2.80 to 2016.80 μg/kg. The synthetic pyrethroid pesticide mean levels also ranged from 0.10 to 4.10 μg/kg and were below World Health Organization/Food and Agriculture Organization-recommended residue levels, and though not appearing to constitute a grave threat to life, their occurrence is a concern, and pre-emptive techniques must be developed to thwart the contaminations. Though the non- target crop was not treated directly with the pesticides, some level of contamination with organochlorine and organophosphorus pesticides persisted in the crops. It can be inferred that application of pesticides affected the adjoining crops, meaning that inter-cropping and mix-cropping might not be acceptable when one of the crops requires pesticide application. It is important for the farmers to be trained to ensure proper application of pesticide to minimise its impact on the health of consumers.     

Chlorination and water quality monitoring within a public drinking water supply in Rawalpindi Cantt (Westridge and Tench) area, Pakistan

Concern over the presence of fecal coliform in public drinking water supplies has been expressed in recent years in Pakistan since it has been regarded as pathogenic organism of prime importance in gastroenteritis. Two major drinking water distribution systems in the Cantt area of Rawalpindi district covering the Westridge and Tench areas was monitored over a 2-month period to determine the prevalence of fecal coliform and chlorine residual. The collected samples were examined for total chlorine, free chlorine residual, chloramines, total coliforms, fecal coliforms, and turbidity. The drinking water quality monitoring in the distribution network was performed by collecting samples from water source, overhead reservoir, and residential taps. In the Westridge area, total chlorine varied from the lowest value of 0.27 mg/L at Station # W-5 to the highest value of 0.42 mg/L at Station # W-2, total coliforms varied from 1.1 to 3.6 most probable number (MPN)/100 mL with presence of Escherichia coli in all samples, total dissolved solids (TDS) ranged from 199.5 to 205 mg/L, conductivity fluctuated between 399 and 411 microS/cm, and turbidity varied from 0.43 to 0.73 NTU. In the Tench area, the value of total chlorine ranged from 0.14 mg/L at Station # T-7 to 0.55 mg/L at Station # T-1. Total coliform varied from 3.6 to 5.1 MPN/100 mL and fecal coliform were detected at all the stations except at Station # T-1. TDS ranged from 201.4 to 257 mg/L, conductivity varied from 343 to 513 microS/cm, and turbidity ranged between 0.66 and 1.55 NTU. It is recommended to the respective agencies to ensure that the chlorine residual is available at consumer end.     

Organochlorine Pesticide Residues in Wheat and Drinking Water Samples from Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

The organochlorine pesticide contamination in dietary sources has caused serious threat to the human progeny. The present study was therefore conducted to evaluate the pesticide contamination in wheat flour and drinking water from Jaipur City, Rajasthan, India using Gas Chromatograph. All the wheat and water samples were found to be contaminated with various organochlorine pesticide residues of DDT and its metabolites, HCH and its isomers, heptachlor and its expoxide and aldrin. The amount of pesticide detected in wheat flour was higher than the permissible limits prescribed by WHO/FAO. In drinking water only a few pesticides exceeded the permissible limits. Seasonal variations of pesticides residues were also observed during the study period.     

Background biomonitoring of residue levels of 137 pesticides in the blood plasma of the general population in Beijing

Due to the widespread use of pesticides, human exposure to pesticides is possible and can potentially cause adverse impacts on public health. We measured 137 pesticides including organophosphorus, organochlorine, pyrethroid and carbamate pesticides together with various herbicides in 100 human blood samples collected from the general population in Beijing. The samples were analysed by triple quadrupole tandem gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. In total, 24 organochlorine pesticides, 5 pyrethroid pesticides and 6 organophosphorus pesticides were detected. The detection rates of HCB, α-HCH, β-HCH, γ-HCH, p,p′-DDE and quintozene were 99, 96, 74, 72, 96 and 95%, respectively. No statistically significant gender difference in the blood concentrations of the pesticides was found. Consistent with the trend of the increasing β-HCH, p,p′-DDE and quintozene concentrations with age, a strong positive correlation between the age and concentrations of β-BHC, p,p′-DDE and quintozene was observed.     

Mercury concentrations in tidal marsh sparrows and their use as bioindicators in Delaware Bay, USA

National parks are used worldwide as a means to protect the ecological integrity of unique ecosystems. Dilek National Park in western Turkey is a protected habitat for several endangered and severely threatened species. Thirty-seven water and 59 sediment samples were collected and analyzed for pesticides at two different sampling depths. The park is contaminated with 16 different organochlorine pesticides, with more pesticides detected in sediments than in water. The most prevalent pesticides in the 30–60-cm depth were DDT (69.5% of the samples), heptachlor (62.3%), a-endosulfan (55% of samples), and endrin (37%). Lindane isomers were present, but at <30% of the sediment samples. These pesticides could be a long-term contamination source that enters the food web used by the very species the park is trying to protect.     

Monitoring of organochlorine pesticides in and around Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur, Rajasthan, India

Keoladeo National Park (KNP) is an important wintering ground for thousands of birds that undertake a perilous journey over the Himalaya to make a seasonal home in a wetland ecosystem. However, this wetland is now getting polluted by various types of contaminants such as pesticides because of the agricultural practices in the catchment area from where the park receives water. Keeping this in mind, the present study has been undertaken to assess the organochlorine pesticide (OCP) residues in the sediments inside and around KNP. Samples were collected from the different blocks of the park. The concentrations of α-HCH, β-HCH, γ-HCH, δ-HCH, S-HCH, aldrin, dieldrin, heptachlor, hept.epoxide, endosulfan-I, endosulfan-II, endo.sulfate, S-endosulfan, endrin, 4,4'-DDE, 4,4'-DDD, and DDT were quantified using gas chromatography with electron capture detection. Analysis showed that the samples were contaminated with the above mentioned pesticides and that the concentration of total OCPs in the sediments varied from 0.1173 (dieldrin) to 5.558 ppm (γ HCH) in the samples collected from inside the park, whereas a range of pesticides varying in concentration from 0.1245 (4,4'-DDD) to 7.54 ppm (γ HCH) was found in samples from outside the park. Residues of S-HCH and S-endosulfan were not detected in any of the sediment samples. The occurrence of pesticides inside the park is a major threat to the park's biodiversity. Eco-friendly agriculture practices with minimal use of inorganic chemicals are suggested to minimize the pesticide residue levels in the park.     

Studies on urban drinking water quality in a tropical zone

Anthropogenic activities associated with industrialization, agriculture and urbanization have led to the deterioration in water quality due to various contaminants. To assess the status of urban drinking water quality, samples were collected from the piped supplies as well as groundwater sources from different localities of residential, commercial and industrial areas of Lucknow City in a tropical zone of India during pre-monsoon for estimation of coliform and faecal coliform bacteria, organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and heavy metals. Bacterial contamination was found to be more in the samples from commercial areas than residential and industrial areas. OCPs like α,γ-hexachlorocyclohexane and 1,1 p,p-DDE {dichloro-2, 2-bis(p-chlorophenyl) ethene)} were found to be present in most of the samples from study area. The total organochlorine pesticide levels were found to be within the European Union limit (0.5 μg/L) in most of the samples. Most of the heavy metals estimated in the samples were also found to be within the permissible limits as prescribed by World Health Organization for drinking water. Thus, these observations show that contamination of drinking water in urban areas may be mainly due to municipal, industrial and agricultural activities along with improper disposal of solid waste. This is an alarm to safety of public health and aquatic environment in tropics.     

气相色谱-三重四极杆质谱法测定水中持久性有机氯污染物

建立了液液萃取一气相色谱三重四极杆质谱多反应监测同时测定水中16种持久性有机氯污染物的方法，考察了不同萃取剂不同体积对有机氯萃取效率的影响，确定了16种持久性有机氯化合物多反应监测模式（MRM）的最佳质谱条件。方法检出限为0.33 ~ 0.65 ng/L，以纯水为基体，加入16种不同浓度水平的持久性有机氯化合物作回收试验，测得回收率在80.2% ~ 103.6%之间，测定的相对标准偏差4.0% ~11.5%（n=7）。     

Levels, distribution, and risk assessment of organochlorines in surficial sediments of the Red Sea coast, Egypt

The analyses of environmentally persistent pollutants like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) isomers, and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and its metabolites in surficial sediment samples collected from 17 locations along with the coast of the Red Sea in Egypt were carried out using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Several potential organic contaminants from agricultural (e.g., DDT and its breakdown products, lindane, endrin, dieldrin, and endosulfan) and industrial (PCBs) sources were measured. The levels of 20 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and ten PCB congeners in sediment collected from 17 stations along ~1,200 km were investigated. Concentrations of PCBs, HCHs, DDTs, and cyclodienes ranged from 0.40 to 6.17, 0.01 to 0.09, n.d. to 0.46, and 0.08 to 0.90 ppb dry weight. Two statistical programs were applied on the data (principal component analysis, PCA, and cluster analysis, CA), and it was concluded that it is impossible to predict the distribution patterns of the OCPs in a contaminated area. Risk assessment of the organochlorines contaminated in the sediments of the studied area was investigated.