Variation in the levels of organochlorine pesticide residues in cow milk consumed in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, in 1979

Abstract

Forty-four samples of cow milk commercially available in the city of São Paulo, collected from February to December, 1979, were analysed for organochlorine pesticide residues. Isomers of BHC (hexachlorocyclohexane) were found in alI sarnples while pp'DDE was found in 95.4 % of the samples. Only 15.9 % of the samples included also the pp'DDT and op'DDT isomers. The average
for total BHC was 0.21 mg/kg with a maximum of 0.48 mg/kg and a minimum of 0.03 mg/kg. These levels are three to seven times lower than the levels found for total BHC in a previous survey in 1971. Neverthless, 86.6% of the samples is above the limit of "non-intentlonal" residue (0.1 mg/kg) established by BraziJian laws. DDT was not detected in 1971, but the current level (average, 0.03 mg/kg, with a maximum of 0.02 mg/kg and a minimum of 0.00 mg/kg) is below the level allowed, 1.6 mg/kg. All values are expressed in terms of milk fato It seems that the legal requirements established in the last years have not yet had an acceptable and practical effect.