Residues of DDT and HCH in butter and Ghee in India 1978–1981

Abstract

Organochlorine pesticide residues were analysed in 105 samples of butter and 5 samples of ghee collected from different parts of India during 1978–1981. Residues of both DDT and HCH were detected in all the samples. DDT residues existed in the form of p,p′- TDE, p,p′- DDT. HCH residues were mainly alpha- and beta-isomers. Mean levels of 3·31 μg g −1 ΣDDT and 1·89 μg g −1 ΣHCH found in butter samples were higher than those reported from most other countries. The level of DDT residues exceeded the extraneous residue limit of 1·25 μg g −1 prescribed by the Food and Agricultural Organization/World Health Organisation in 83 butter samples and all 5 ghee samples. The residues of HCH in the majority of samples were also high, though no residue limit for this insecticide has been prescribed.