Review on Organochlorine Pollution in Malaysia

Abstract

Organochlorine is a type of persistent organic pollutants which can last long in environment due to the resistance towards the microbial degradation. Previously, the organochlorine pesticides are widely used to reduce the pests in the farm so, the crop yield could be increased, and the losses can be decreased. The organochlorine pesticides previously are used without having a proper study on the effect of organochlorine to the environment. Although the use of organochlorine pesticides has been banned, the residues of organochlorine from previous usage, still exist in the environment, causing negative impacts to the environment and human health. The distribution of the organochlorine pollution in Malaysia is required to be studied more to ensure that the organochlorine concentration will not be increasing according to time. Due to the ban of organochlorine pesticides, other pests control methods such as organophosphate pesticides, and integrated pest management are being used by the farmers. However, there are challenges raised such as financial problem of the farmers to afford the new chemicals or methods and the negative effect from the use of new chemicals, and these challenges should be solved to improve the pest control in Malaysia. Impacts of organochlorines on human health and environment are discussed in this review to show the hazard of organochlorines.