A survey of residues of oganochlorine pesticides in hen eggs in Uganda.
One hundred hen eggs were analysed by gas chromatography for the presence of residues of organochlorine pesticides. Sixty one eggs were collected from free-range hens in Tororo county in Tororo district and 39 eggs from enclosed hens (commercial layers) in the outskirts of Kampala city in Uganda. Residues of 9 organochroline compounds were detected in the hen eggs in the following frequencies: p,p'-DDE (100%), p,p'-DDT (85%), lindane (13%), dieldrin (11%), o,p'-DDT (10%), p,p'-DDD (8%), HCB (7%), &-HCH (4%), and o,p'-DDD (1%). All the mean residue levels were below the respective EEC MRL and FAO/WHO ERL. Only 3 (3%) samples contained total DDT levels above the EEC MRL and FAO ERL of 0.1mg /kg fresh weight. The residue levels of other organochlroine compounds in individual samples were below both the EEC MRL and the FAO/WHO ERL. It was concluded that contamination of hen eggs with residues of organochlorine pesticides from areas In Uganda that were considered In this study presents a low health risk to the consumers, and that organochlorine residue levels in hen eggs in Uganda were relatively lower than those reported from other African countries.
Ejobi
F
F
Department of Veterinary Public Health and preventive Medicine, Faculty of veterinary Medicine, Makerere University, P. O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda.
Muller
P
P
Opunda-Asibo
J
J
Kruger
J
J