Seasonal Variation of DDT and HCH Residues in Market Goat Meat

Food of animal origin such as meat, milk, and their products are the prime sources of human exposure to the organochlorine pesticide residues. The present investigation was conducted to estimate the pesticide residue levels in meat. Goat meat samples were procured from local meat shops of Ludhiana City and were analyzed for organochlorine pesticide residues by Gas Liquid Chromatograph (Nucon 5700) equipped with Electron Capture Detector (ECD). All samples of goat meat were found contaminated with DDT and HCH residues. Maximum concentration of ΣDDT and ΣHCH residues were observed in goat adipose tissues followed by muscle, liver and kidney. Samples collected during July to Sep. 2001 contained relatively higher amounts of residues of both DDT and HCH.