Persistent organochlorine residues in foodstuffs from India and their implications on human dietary exposure

Foodstuffs collected from different regions in India were analyzed for the presence of HCH (BHC), DDT, HCB, aldrin, dieldrin, heptachlor, and PCBs. Significantly high levels of food contamination with HCH, DDT, aldrin, and dieldrin were evident throughout India. Dairy products and livestock meat are the prime sources of human dietary exposure to these chemicals. Concentrations of these organochlorine compounds in a few dairy products were above the maximum residue limits (MRLs) set forth by the FAO/WHO as well as the Ministry of Health of the Indian government. The average daily intakes of HCH and DDT by Indians were estimated to be 115 and 48 pg/person, respectively, which were higher than those observed in most of the developed nations. The dietary intakes of aldrin and dieldrin exceeded the acceptable daily intake (ADI) recommended by the FAO/ WHO. Food pollution and dietary intakes of PCBs, HCB, and heptachlor were relatively low in India.

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