Duplicate samples of the diet of vegetarian adults were analyzed to estimate the residues of dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane (DDT) and benzene hexachloride (BHC). The total food consumed by an adult per day was collected and categorized as fatty food, non-fatty food, water, and beverages. Fatty food was the main source of these chlorinated insecticides, and it contributed almost 50% of the total dietary intake. The average total DDT and BHC consumed by an adult were 19.24 micrograms/d and 77.15 micrograms/d, respectively. Blood DDT and BHC levels reflected intake (r = 0.685 for DDT; r = 0.515 for BHC).
Concentrations of two organochlorine insecticides, DDT and HCH, in 21 human adipose tissue samples (from cadavers) and 20 venous blood samples collected in Ahmedabad, India were determined. None of the cases had any history of occupational exposure to organochlorine insecticides. Residue concentrations of DDT and HCH in these samples indicated considerable exposure of the general population to these chemicals. Samples from males had comparatively higher concentrations of these insecticide residues than females. The mean residue concentrations of total DDT and HCH in the blood serum of males was 213.83 and 70.051 ppb, respectively, whereas females had DDT and HCH concentrations of 177.38 and 65.44 ppb, respectively. Total DDT and HCH in adipose tissue was 3.967 and 4.054 ppm in males, and 3.538 and 3.144 ppm in females, respectively. Residue concentrations reported here are lower than those reported earlier.
On the basis of the use of insecticides in agriculture and vector control programmes, two locations were selected in Gujarat state, India. In location 1 the insecticides are used in both agriculture and vector control programmes while in location 2 they are used only in agriculture. Raw food commodities, water, soil and blood samples were collected from the people residing in these locations, and analysed for total dichloro-diphenyl trichloroethane and total benzenehexachloride residues. Residue levels were significantly lower in location 2 than in location 1.
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