title: Organochlorine insecticide residues are found in surface, irrigated water samples from several districts in Bangladesh.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the occurrence and distribution of organochlorines such as aldrin, dieldrin, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane (DDD), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), endrin, lindane and heptachlor insecticide residues in irrigated surface water samples collected from 22 districts in Bangladesh. The concentrations of the pesticides were determined using gas chromatography mass spectrophotometry. Water samples from five locations (Feni, Nawabganj, Putia, Burichang and Chatak) were contaminated with DDT; the highest DDT concentration detected was 8.29 μg/L, and its metabolite, DDE, was detected at 4.06 μg/L. Water samples from four other locations (Natore, Sikderpara, Chatak and Rajoir) were contaminated with heptachlor residues, and the highest level detected was 5.24 μg/L, which is the above the maximum contaminant level recommended by the World Health Organisation. A water sample collected from Chatak, Sunamganj, was contaminated with both DDT and heptachlor pesticide residues. None of the water samples were contaminated with aldrin, DDD, dieldrin, endrin or lindane. It is concluded that continuous, long-term monitoring and essential steps to limit the use of the pesticides in Bangladesh are needed.
authors.affiliation: Agrochemicals and Environmental Research Division, Institute of Food & Radiation Biology, Atomic Energy Research Establishment, Ganakbari, Savar, Dhaka, 1349, Bangladesh.
authors.forename: Alamgir Zaman
authors.initials: AZ
authors.lastname: Chowdhury
authors.forename: Mohammad Nazrul
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Islam
authors.forename: Mohammed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moniruzzaman
authors.forename: Siew Hua
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Gan
authors.forename: Md Khorshed
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Alam
mesh_terms: D057914:Agricultural Irrigation; D001459:Bangladesh; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated / Q000032:analysis*; D010573:Pesticide Residues / Q000032:analysis*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; D010573:Pesticide Residues; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical