Abstract:
To estimate the residues of HCH (BHC) and DDT in food, food samples were collected from hotels and
restaurents in Coimbatore, Madurai, Trichi, Madras and Kamarajar districts of Tamil Nadu State, India
and analysed by gas chromatography. Out of the five food groups viz., cereals and pulses, fruits and
vegetables, milk and milk products, egg and meat and water and beverages, the fatty foods like milk, milk
products, egg and meat were the maiirsources of these insecticide residues. These food items contribute
more than 50 per cent of the residues. The average daily intake level was 0.25 jig of alpha HCH, 0.24pg of
beta HCH, 0.19 \ig of gamma HCH and 0.27 pg of DDT. These levels constitute only 0.08, 0.004, 0.003 and
0.004 per cent of the prescribed Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) level of 0.005, 0.001, 0.01 and 0.02 mg / kg
body weight / day for these compounds respectively. The results indicated that the intake of HCH and DDT
through food is well below the ADI prescribed by WHO/FAO.
