Organochlorine Levels Research Articles

Pre-diagnostic serum concentrations of organochlorines and risk of acute myeloid leukemia: A nested case-control study in the Norwegian Janus Serum Bank Cohort

BackgroundEpidemiologic studies suggest an increased risk of leukemia among individuals occupationally exposed to some organochlorine (OC) compounds. Associations between serum OC pesticide and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) levels and risk of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), the most common subtype of acute leukemia in adult populations, have not been evaluated prospectively in the general population. ObjectiveWe evaluated the risk of AML in relation to pre-diagnostic serum levels of OC pesticides and PCBs in a case-control study nested within the Janus Serum Bank Cohort. MethodsJanus is a large population-based cohort containing biologic samples collected beginning in the early 1970s from ~318,000 individuals in Norway. Serum levels of 11 OC pesticides or their metabolites and 34 PCB congeners were measured in 56 AML cases and 288 controls. Conditional logistic regression was conducted to evaluate associations between lipid-adjusted serum OC levels and risk of AML. ResultsHigher serum levels of total chlordane/heptachlor metabolites were associated with AML risk (3rd vs. 1st tertile odds ratio (OR) = 2.26, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.91–5.63; ptrend = 0.11). Significant exposure-response associations were observed for levels of heptachlor epoxide (3rd vs. 1st tertile OR = 2.85, 95% CI = 1.05–7.73; ptrend = 0.02) and dieldrin (3rd vs. 1st tertile OR = 2.71, 95% CI = 1.07–6.83; ptrend = 0.03). No significant exposure-response associations with AML risk were observed for total DDT or individual isomers and derivatives. Higher serum levels of p,p′-DDT showed a non-significant increase in risk, but the exposure-response became attenuated when co-adjusting for heptachlor epoxide or dieldrin levels. Serum PCB levels were not significantly associated with AML risk. ConclusionsOur data suggest that higher serum levels of dieldrin and metabolites derived from chlordane/heptachlor are associated with risk of AML in the general Norwegian population, based on samples collected on average ~17 years before diagnosis. Further research in populations with historically high or recent exposure to DDT is warranted to assess the association with AML risk with body burden of specific DDT isomers and derivatives.

Cytokine expression and lymphocyte proliferative capacity in diseased harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) – Biomarkers for health assessment in wildlife cetaceans

Harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) in the North and Baltic Seas are exposed to anthropogenic influences including acoustic stress and environmental contaminants. In order to evaluate immune responses in healthy and diseased harbor porpoise cells, cytokine expression analyses and lymphocyte proliferation assays, together with toxicological analyses were performed in stranded and bycaught animals as well as in animals kept in permanent human care. Severely diseased harbor porpoises showed a reduced proliferative capacity of peripheral blood lymphocytes together with diminished transcription of transforming growth factor-β and tumor necrosis factor-α compared to healthy controls. Toxicological analyses revealed accumulation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) in harbor porpoise blood samples. Correlation analyses between blood organochlorine levels and immune parameters revealed no direct effects of xenobiotics upon lymphocyte proliferation or cytokine transcription, respectively. Results reveal an impaired function of peripheral blood leukocytes in severely diseased harbor porpoises, indicating immune exhaustion and increased disease susceptibility.

Levels of Contaminants in Human Populations in the Canadian Arctic

Levels of environmental contaminants, which are transported to the Arctic via air/water currents, have been shown to be elevated in northern populations, primarily Inuit. For more than 25 years, the Northern Contaminants Program (NCP) has funded research in response to concerns about exposure to contaminants from traditional, northern indigenous diets. Recently, NCP completed a human health assessment report, which provides a summary of current knowledge regarding contaminants and human health in northern Canada.Data from NCP funded studies were compiled to summarize levels of contaminants among Inuit children, pregnant mothers, women of childbearing age, and adult men and women. Data was also used to identify time trends and provide regional descriptive comparisons.This assessment found that concentrations of contaminants are higher in Inuit from northern Canada relative to the Canadian general population. This is primarily due to dietary exposure to contaminants from the consumption of certain country foods such as marine mammals. Inuit populations living in Nunavut and Nunavik, where these country foods are typically eaten more frequently or in larger amounts, had higher levels of contaminants. Time trend data show declining levels of organochlorines and metals (such as mercury and lead), by up to 80% and 60% respectively, in pregnant Inuit women from Nunavik (1992-2013). Despite this, levels remain elevated compared to the Canadian general population. Since the completion of the assessment new projects have been funded and these will also be highlighted.Strong time trend data are available for Nunavik; however more information is needed in other regions. New chemical groups have emerged in the Arctic. While human exposure data is still limited, data is being generated through new research. Additional conclusions, knowledge gaps and recommendations for future northern studies are detailed in the NCP human health assessment.

Occurrence and distribution of organochlorine pesticide residue levels in water, sediment and aquatic weeds in the Nyando River catchment, Lake Victoria, Kenya

Samples of water, sediments and aquatic weeds were collected from 26 sites in the Nyando River catchment of the Lake Victoria basin in 2005–2006. The objective was to investigate levels of organochlorine pesticides that have either been banned or are restricted for use in Kenya. The pesticides investigated were lindane, aldrin, endosulfan, endrin, dieldrin, DDT, heptachlor and methoxychlor. These pesticides had previously found wide applications in public health and agriculture in Kenya for control of disease vectors and crop pests respectively. Results showed that mean concentrations were highest for methoxychlor (8.817 ± 0.020 µg l−1) in water, sediments (92.893 ± 3.039 µg kg−1), and weeds (39.641 ± 3.045 µg kg−1), the weeds also tended to accumulate aldrin (15.519 ± 3.756 µg kg−1). The results show that the pesticides are still in use and are detected in the catchment. Stringent management and public awareness measures are required to enforce the ban on the organochlorine pesticides in order to safeguard the environment and ecosystems of Lake Victoria.

Prenatal exposure to an environmentally relevant mixture of Canadian Arctic contaminants decreases male reproductive function in an aging rat model

Elevated levels of organochlorines (OC) have been reported in Inuit populations in the Arctic. We hypothesized that prenatal exposure to a Canadian Arctic OC mixture adversely affects male reproductive function and health with age. Sprague-Dawley female rats (F0) were gavaged with an environmentally relevant concentration of an Arctic OC mixture or corn oil (Control) during mating with untreated males until parturition (F1 litters). After postnatal day (PND) 90, the weights of the OC F1 males differed dramatically relative to Controls (P<0.05; n=10) and they exhibited respiratory distress. Except for possible thinning of the alveolar barrier, histological observation of the lungs revealed no apparent pathology to explain the respiratory distress. At PND 365, OC F1 males had reduced relative reproductive organ weights and lower sperm quality than Controls (P<0.05). At PND 90, OC F1 males were subfertile (P<0.05), but were infertile at PND 365. In conclusion, environmentally relevant prenatal OC exposure reduced reproductive function and health in aging male rats, providing new insight into the effects of early-life exposures to these contaminants.

Particulate organohalogens in edible brown seaweeds

Brown algae, rich in antioxidants and other bioactive compounds, are important dietary seaweeds in many cultures. Like other marine macroalgae, brown seaweeds are known to accumulate the halogens iodine and bromine. Comparatively little is known about the chemistry of chlorine in seaweeds. We used synchrotron-based X-ray absorption spectroscopy to measure total non-volatile organochlorine and -bromine in five edible brown seaweeds: Laminaria digitata, Fucus vesiculosus, Pelvetia canaliculata, Saccharina latissima, and Undaria pinnatifida. Organochlorine concentrations range from 120 to 630 mg·kg−1 dry weight and organobromine from 150 to 360 mg·kg−1, comprising mainly aromatic organohalogens in both cases. Aliphatic organochlorine exceeds aliphatic organobromine but is positively correlated with it among the seaweeds. Higher organochlorine levels appear in samples with more lipid moieties, suggesting lipid chlorination as a possible formation pathway. Particulate organohalogens are not correlated with antioxidant activity or polyphenolic content in seaweed extracts. Such compounds likely contribute to organohalogen body burden in humans and other organisms.

A Pilot Study Evaluating Organochlorine and Organophosphate Pesticide Exposure in Children and Adolescents of Mexican Descent Residing in Hidalgo County, Texas.

Children and adolescents of Mexican descent residing in Hidalgo County (TX) were evaluated for exposure to organochlorine (OC) and organophosphate (OP) pesticides. A convenience sample of 60 participants enrolled in our pilot study. The lipid-adjusted serum concentrations of nine OC metabolites and creatinine-adjusted urinary concentrations of six OP metabolites were measured and compared with data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Fourth Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the concentration levels for each metabolite. Study participants were aged 5-18years. For most of the OC and OP metabolites, our findings showed that participants had concentration levels within the distributional range of the national data. However, notable outlying levels (greater than the 95th percentile in the Fourth Report) were identified for the following OC metabolites: gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane, p,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethene, and p,p'-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane. Among the children aged 5-11years, one child had an outlying value for the OP metabolite: dimethylphosphate. Our findings on the levels of OC and OP pesticide exposure enhances the credibility of national estimates, and can serve as baselines for children and adolescents of Mexican descent residing in Lower Rio Grande Valley. Furthermore, our study contributes to the lacunae of knowledge regarding environmental exposures and presses further investigation of outlying OC and OP exposure levels.

Temporal trends of legacy organochlorines in eggs of Canadian Arctic seabirds monitored over four decades

We compared temporal trends of legacy organochlorine pesticides and PCBs in eggs of five seabird species breeding at Prince Leopold Island in the Canadian high Arctic. Concentrations of most of the major organochlorine groups/compounds have either declined (e.g. Σ35PCB, ΣDDT, ΣCBz, ΣCHL, octachlorostyrene) or shown no consistent directional change (e.g. heptachlor epoxide) since 1975 in eggs of thick-billed murres (Uria lomvia), northern fulmars (Fulmarus glacialis) and black-legged kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla). Aside from β-HCH, which increased in most species, the major organochlorine compounds either declined or showed no trend between 1993 and 2013 in eggs of five seabird species (thick-billed murre, northern fulmar, black-legged kittiwake, black guillemot Cepphus grylle, glaucous gull Larus hyperboreus). Most of the declines occurred during the 1970s to 1990s followed by little change during the 2000s. Glaucous gull eggs had the highest concentrations of almost all organochlorines in the five years compared (1993, 1998, 2003/04, 2008, 2013), and murre eggs generally had among the lowest concentrations. The primary organochlorines found in eggs of all five species were Σ35PCB, ΣDDT (mainly p,p′-DDE), ΣCBz (mainly hexachlorobenzene) and ΣCHL (mainly oxychlordane) although proportions varied by species and year. The major PCB congeners found in eggs of all five species were CB-153, -138, -118 and -180. The penta-, hexa- and heptachlorobiphenyl homologs comprised the largest proportion of Σ35PCB in all five species. Although levels of most legacy organochlorines have declined since 1975, the potential for climate change to alter chemical transport pathways as well as exposure pathways in the biotic environment could affect temporal trends. Therefore, it is important to continue to monitor these legacy contaminants in order to determine how these changes will affect the temporal trends observed to date.

Levels, distribution, and ecological risk of organochlorines in red mullet (Mullus barbatus) and annular sea bream (Diplodus annularis) from the Gulf of Izmir, Eastern Aegean, in 2009-2012.

Organochlorine (OCs) concentrations were measured in two fish species, Mullus barbatus and Diplodus annularis, collected from Izmir Gulf during 2009-2012 in order to explain the status of these contaminants in edible fish. No data is available on the levels of organochlorines in marine organism from Izmir Gulf. In both fish species from the study area, Aroclors were determined in higher concentrations than organochlorine pesticides (OCPs). Maximum concentrations of OCPs and PCBs measured in the edible part of D. annularis were 45-165 and 530-1591ngg-1 lipid weight (lw), respectively. DDTs (sum of DDT and metabolites) and cyclodienes ranged from 4-56 to 16-110ngg-1 lw, respectively. The levels of DDTs measured in the present study were generally comparable or lower than those found in studies from other Mediterranean and non-Mediterranean regions. The potential risks for fish consumers were assessed. Although the estimated daily intake (EDI) for DDTs, heptachlor, and drins through the sampled fish species by Izmir inhabitants was quite lower than the ADI (acceptable daily intake) established by the FAO/WHO, EDI for Aroclor 1254 was close to the ADI value of 20ngg-1 recommended by the IPCS (2000).

Organochlorine Levels in Plasma and Risk of Multiple Myeloma.

The aim of this study was to estimate the association between organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and multiple myeloma (MM). The risk of MM from organochlorine compounds was examined in a population-based case-control study in British Columbia, Canada. Congeners of PCBs and pesticides or pesticide metabolites were measured in plasma of 325 cases and 327 controls. Most organochlorine analytes showed a significant association with MM. The strongest association (highest vs lowest quartile) was oxychlordane (odds ratio = 7.44; 95% confidence interval = 4.19 to 13.21). No heterogeneity was detected between organochlorines levels and MM subtypes. Only oxychlordane and β-hexachlorocyclohexane (β-HCCH) were identified as significant independent predictors of MM. Our study provides evidence that organochlorines contribute to the risk of MM.

Organochlorine pesticide residues in human breast tissue and their relationships with clinical and pathological characteristics of breast cancer.

Agricultural pesticides are abundant environmental contaminants worldwide, prompting interest in studying their possible detrimental health effects. We examined organochlorine residues by quadrant (n = 245) in breast adipose tissues from 51 women with various stages of breast health to determine patterns of bioaccumulation within the breast and to assess relationships with patient clinical characteristics. Three organochlorine residues-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-1,1-dichloroethylene (p,p'-DDE), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), and mirex-assayed by high resolution gas chromatography were abundant in breast tissue. p,p'-DDE (745 ± 1054 ng/g lipid) was the most prevalent residue, comprising 97.5% of the total chemical burden. Mean levels of p,p'-DDE and HCB were significantly correlated (P < .001) with patient age at mastectomy, and levels of p,p'-DDE were correlated (P < .05) with BMI. Pesticide concentrations did not differ significantly by breast quadrant and were not different in the quadrant(s) where the primary tumor was located compared to other cancer-free quadrants. In invasive cancer patients, organochlorine levels differed significantly based on clinical characteristics of the primary carcinoma, including stage, grade, ER status, and HER2 status, indicating that body burden of organochlorines may influence the development of specific subtypes of breast cancer. Potentially carcinogenic organochlorines were present at high levels within the human breast warranting further research to determine the impact of organochlorines in the etiology of breast cancer.

Organochlorines in urban soils from Central India: probabilistic health hazard and risk implications to human population.

This study presents distribution of organochlorines (OCs) including HCH, DDT and PCBs in urban soils, and their environmental and human health risk. Forty-eight soil samples were extracted using ultrasonication, cleaned with modified silica gel chromatography and analyzed by GC-ECD. The observed concentrations of ∑HCH, ∑DDT and ∑PCBs in soils ranged between < 0.01-2.54, 1.30-27.41 and < 0.01-62.8µgkg-1, respectively, which were lower than the recommended soil quality guidelines. Human health risk was estimated following recommended guidelines. Lifetime average daily dose (LADD), non-cancer risk or hazard quotient (HQ) and incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) for humans due to individual and total OCs were estimated and presented. Estimated LADD were lower than acceptable daily intake and reference dose. Human health risk estimates were lower than safe limit of non-cancer risk (HQ < 1.0) and the acceptable distribution range of ILCR (10-6-10-4). Therefore, this study concluded that present levels of OCs (HCH, DDT and PCBs) in studied soils were low, and subsequently posed low health risk to human population in the study area.

Endocrine disruptors in breeding ponds and reproductive health of toads in agricultural, urban and natural landscapes

Many chemical pollutants have endocrine disrupting effects which can cause lifelong reproductive abnormalities in animals. Amphibians are the most threatened group of vertebrates, but there is little information on the nature and quantity of pollutants occurring in typical amphibian breeding habitats and on the reproductive capacities of amphibian populations inhabiting polluted areas. In this study we investigated the occurrence and concentrations of endocrine disrupting chemicals in the water and sediment of under-studied amphibian breeding habitats in natural, agricultural and urbanized landscapes. Also, we captured reproductively active common toads (Bufo bufo) from these habitats and let them spawn in a ‘common garden’ to assess among-population differences in reproductive capacity. Across 12 ponds, we detected 41 out of the 133 contaminants we screened for, with unusually high concentrations of glyphosate and carbamazepine. Levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, nonylphenol and bisphenol-A increased with urban land use, whereas levels of organochlorine and triazine pesticides and sex hormones increased with agricultural land use. Toads from all habitats had high fecundity, fertilization rate and offspring viability, but the F1 generation originating from agricultural and urban ponds had reduced development rates and lower body mass both as larvae and as juveniles. Females with small clutch mass produced thicker jelly coat around their eggs if they originated from agricultural and urban ponds compared with natural ponds. These results suggest that the observed pollution levels did not compromise reproductive potential in toads, but individual fitness and population viability may be reduced in anthropogenically influenced habitats, perhaps due to transgenerational effects and/or costs of tolerance to chemical contaminants.

Consideration of organochlorine pesticide levels in water, sediment and fish from Ethiope River at Sapele, Delta State, Nigeria

Water, sediment and fish samples from the Ethiope River at Sapele in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria were collected and analyzed for organochlorine pesticide (OCPs) with the aim of ascertaining the level of concentration and distribution of the organochlorine content for the purpose of safe guarding organisms in these matrices. Samples from the three matrices: water, sediment, fish ( T. Zilli ) were collected in December (dry season) and July (rainy season). 26 OCPs was set out to be investigated, but only 21 was detected. Results from this study revealed the presence of 21 organochlorine pesticide (OCPs) of varying concentrations across the three matrices in Ethiope River. The hazard quotient (HQ) values for all studied site were all between 1 and 10 (1.66, 1.84), this was indicative of moderate hazard contamination; however, that of the bioaccumulation index (BI) for the fish were all greater than 1 (72.426 and 144.996) for rainy and dry season respectively. The distribution of organochlorine pesticides could be associated with land-use practices including agriculture and urbanization. The results suggest the need for sustained monitoring of importation, distribution, usage and disposal of OCPs.

The current environmental levels of endocrine disruptors (mercury, cadmium, organochlorine pesticides and PCBs) in a Belgian adult population and their predictors of exposure.

A human biomonitoring study was carried out measuring the levels of endocrine disruptors in 252 participants (18-76 years old) recruited between February and May 2015 from the general population of Liege Province (Belgium). In this study, we reported the recent levels of cadmium and mercury in urine, some organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in serum, and their relations to demographic characteristics, lifestyle behaviors and dietary habits. The median urinary levels of mercury and cadmium were 0.81μg/l and <0.5μg/l respectively. The mercury levels were higher in participants having at least 3 dental amalgams, and consuming sea fish more than once a week. Although our mercury levels in most participants were lower than some health-based guidelines, they were higher than in our neighboring countries where ban or restrictions on the dental amalgams use were implemented. Urinary cadmium levels in current smokers were significantly higher than former or never smokers, as well as non-smokers for passively exposed vs non-exposed ones. Median PCB-153 and -180 serum levels were 53.8 and 41.1ng/g lipid respectively, but PCB-138 was below the limit of quantification of 0.15μg/l in 49% of the samples. Among the organochlorine pesticides, 4,4'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (4,4'-DDE), beta-hexachlorohexane and hexachlorobenzene were positively detected respectively in 48%, 49% and 37% of the serum samples. Eventhough, a dramatic decrease in organochlorines levels was observed, at least 1 pesticide or PCB was detected in 96% of our population, and more than 50% of our samples were contaminated by 4 or more organochlorines. Age, body mass index, and breastfeeding duration were the most predictive determinants of pesticide or PCB serum concentrations, but not dietary habits.

Changes in serum dioxin and PCB levels in residents around a municipal waste incinerator in Bilbao, Spain

There is a great concern in the Basque Country regarding emissions from waste incineration, in particular that of organochlorines (OCs), including dioxins, furans and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and their potential effect on human health. In 2005, a municipal solid waste plant (MSWP) started to operate in Bilbao, representing an opportunity to assess the exposure to the aforementioned pollutants among people living at various distances from the plant. In 2006 and 2008, we carried out two cross-sectional studies to quantify and assess changes in levels of these pollutants. The objective of this study was to describe the levels of OCs in the blood serum in 2013 of 127 adults of this prospective cohort, in four centres of population, near to and further away from the MSWP, and to study trends over time since it started to operate. This study shows the levels of OCs have decreased significantly, from 37.2% to 80.1%. Further, levels of OCs in areas near to the MSWP were not found to be higher than those in areas further afield.

Soil Chemical Characteristics of Organic and Conventional Agriculture

Use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides on intensive land of both lowland and upland food crops have been shown to increase agricultural productivity significantly. Research aimed to study soil chemical characteristics and soil pesticide residues at some crops of organic and conventional farms. The research was carried out in Laboratory of Soil Chemistry, Indonesian Soil Research Institute and in Laboratory of Agrochemical Residue, Indonesian Agricultural Environment Research Institute, Bogor from February to July 2015. Soil samples at 0-10 cm depth were taken compositely from broccoli (Brassica oleracea), carrots (Daucus carota), maize (Zea mays), and tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) farms in Bogor Regency as well as from rice field in Tasikmalaya Regency at both organic and conventional farms. Soil chemical characteristics were analyzed include: soil organic-C (Walkey and Black), total-N (Kjeldahl), potential-P (HCl 25%), available-P (Olsen), potential-K (HCl 25%), available-K (NH4OAc 1 N pH 7), CEC (NH4OAc 1 N pH 7), and pH (soil : water = 1: 5), while pesticide residues included levels of organochlorine (lindane, aldrin, heptaklor, dieldrin, DDT, endosulfan); organophosphates (diazinon, fenitrotin, metidation, paration, profenofos); and carbamates (carbofuran, MIPC, BPMC) in the soil by using Gas Chromatography method. Results showed that levels of soil organic-C, total-N, potential and available-P, potential and available-K, CEC, pH at organic farms were higher than those at conventional farms. Some pesticide residues compound (organochlorines, organophosphates, and carbamates) were detected at conventional farm, while those at organic farm were not detected (trace).Keywords: Conventional farm, organic farm, pesticide residues, soil properties. [How to Cite: Muhammad AA, F Hazra, S Salma and D Nursyamsi. 2016. Soil Chemical Characteristics of Organic and Conventional Agriculture. J Trop Soils 21: 19-25. Doi: 10.5400/jts.2016.21.1.19]

Determination of Levels of Organochlorine, Organophosphorus, and Pyrethroid Pesticide Residues in Vegetables from Markets in Dar es Salaam by GC-MS.

This study investigated the levels of pesticides and metabolites in vegetables from major markets in Dar es Salaam city, Tanzania. Samples of fresh cabbage, spinach, and onions from the markets were analysed for pesticide residues. Extraction was performed using acetone followed by dichloromethane : cyclohexane mixture and the extracts were cleaned up using Florisil. The compounds were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Pesticides and metabolites were detected in 72.2% of the samples. The detected pesticide residues and their highest mean concentrations were p,p′-DDT 4.00 × 10−3 mg/kg, p,p′-DDD 6.40 × 10−1 mg/kg, o,p′-DDD 1.00 × 10−2 mg/kg, α-endosulfan 6.00 × 10−1 mg/kg, β-endosulfan 2.10 × 10−1 mg/kg, chlorpyrifos 3.00 mg/kg, and cypermethrin 4.00 × 10−2 mg/kg. The most frequently detected compounds were p,p′-DDD and chlorpyrifos. The order of contamination was spinach > cabbage > onions. Generally, there were no significant variations in concentrations of pesticide residues among samples and sampling sites, which indicated similarities in contamination patterns. The concentrations of contaminants were above the maximum residue limits (MRLs) in 33.3–50% of the samples. The findings indicated risks and concerns for public health.

Pesticide Residues in Buffalo and Human Breast Milk of Vegetables and Fruits Farming Community at Northern of Delta in Egypt

This study was carried out to determine the potential occurrence of pesticide residues in the milk of buffalo and women, which exists in vegetables and fruits farming community in Rosetta region Northern of Delta, Egypt. Milk samples were analyzed by gas chromatography-electron capture detector. Halogenated pesticides were selected includes: 1- Organochlorines; Hexachlorocyclohexane isomers (a, s, ?-HCHs), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (p, p' – DDT) and its degradates; p, p'-DDD and DDE, and cyclodiene compounds; Aldrin, dieldrin and endrin. 2- Organophosphorous pesticides; Chlorpyrifos, chlorpyrifos methyl and profenofos. 3- Pyrethroids; Cypermethrin and lambda-cyhalothrin. The tested organochlorine pesticides were detected in most of the samples analyzed at lower frequencies and levels ranged from 2.38 to 3.57 µg/kg in buffalo than of human milk (2.4-5.78 µg/kg). Whereas organophosphorous and pyrethroids found at high predominance of frequencies among all the tested compounds in the buffalo milk than in human milk analyzed. Generally, all samples were positive for at least one of the pesticides; Chlorpyrifos, chlorpyrifos, methyl, profenfos or cypermethrin with mean levels ranged from 1.9 to 5.14 µg/kg of the two milk types, except lambdacyhalothrin at below detection limit in all human breast milk samples. Statistically, significant difference and correlation of organochlorines levels (but no significant difference or correlation for organophosphorous and pyrethroids) were found between the two types of milk investigated. The data available for estimation of daily intakes (ADIs) and extraneous and maximum residue limits (ERLs & MRLs) revealed that these compounds were found to be lower than the safety thresholds level. Results of this study indicated that in spite of the banning much of organochlorine pesticides (rather than the currently applied (e.g., organophosphorous and pyrethroid pesticides), still contaminating the food stuffs, particularly milk.

Organochlorine pesticides in Cyprinus carpio from Sidi Salem Dam, north-western Tunisia

Cyprinus carpio (Linnaeus, 1758) caught in Sidi Salem Dam in 2011 were analysed for the levels of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), including hexachlorobenzene (HCB), aldrin, heptachlor, lindane, dieldrin, endrin, and pp′-DDT and its two main metabolites pp′-DDD and pp′-DDE, in order to evaluate the extent of contamination of the dam. Fish were sampled monthly within the dam during 2011. Muscle, liver and gill tissues were analysed by gas chromatography for the determination of OCPs. Samples had variable concentrations of OCPs, ranging from 2.26 to 17.93 ng g−1, 0.59 to 42.67 ng g−1 and 3.30 to 84.27 ng g−1, which were isolated from gills, muscle and liver, respectively. The organochlorine pesticide levels found posed no threat to human health. The highest OCP levels were found in the liver tissues. The pp′-DDE concentrations and their ratios to ΣDDTs indicate aged DDT pollution and suggests that there has been no recent input of technical DDT from the agricultural areas into Sidi Salem Dam.