2001 survey of organochlorine pesticides in retail milk from Beijing, P. R. China

Abstract

A monitoring study was conducted in 2001 to determine the organochlorine pesticides and their metabolite residues in milk taken from supermarkets in Beijing, P. R. China. The average concentrations of total HCH and DDT were 0.038 and 0.046 mg kg-1, respectively, expressed on a fat basis. The aldrin residue was detected in nine milk samples, with a mean concentration of 0.035 mg kg-1. Heptachlor and its epoxides were not found in any milk samples. Of 72 milk samples analysed, three from South China contained the higher levels of DDT and HCH residues that exceeded the FAO/WHO accepted tolerance level. Although organochlorine pesticides such as DDT and HCH have been banned in China since 1983, the residues of such compounds still exist in the environment and cause food contamination, a fact likely attributed to the short prohibition period and illegal use for agricultural purposes at present.