Evaluation of organochlorine insecticide residue levels in locally marketed vegetables of Jaipur City,Rajasthan, India

Considerable quantities of organochlorine insecticides are still used worldwide and their persistent residues are widely distributed throughout the environment. Various researchers from different parts of India and abroad have highlighted the extent of pollution caused by these insecticides. In view of the above facts the present study was conducted during 1993-1996 to investigate the magnitude of contamination of organochlorine insecticides in vegetables which were brought for sale to the consumers in the local markets of Jaipur city, Rajasthan, India. Samples of vegetables (potato, tomato, cabbage, cauliflower, spinach and okra) were collected at beginning, middle and end of the seasons with respect to different vegetables and organochlorine levels were assessed using Gas Liquid Chromatograph (GLC) equipped with Electron Capture Detector (ECD). Most of the collected samples were found to be contaminated with residues of DDT and its metabolites (DDD, DDE) isomers of HCH (alpha,beta and gamma-HCH), heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide and aldrin. Some of the detected insecticides exceeded the limit of tolerance prescribed by WHO/FAO.