Polychlorinated biphenyls, hexachlorobenzene and organochlorine pesticide residues in milk from Apulia

A survey was carried out on 450 milk samples (cow. buffalo, goat and sheep) from Apulian farms to determine the levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs). These contaminants are highly undesirable in milk because it is widely consumed mainly by infants. Results showed that PCBs, 2,2-bis (4-chlorophenyl)-1. 1-dichloroethylene (p,p ' -DDE), HCB and hexachlorocyclohexane alpha isomer (alpha -HCH) were present in almost all of the samples analysed, while lindane (gamma -HCH) was found only in cow milk samples. Among these pollutants, PCBs (16.7-66.7 mug/kg), HCB (3.58-7.57 mug/kg) and p,p ' -DDE (7.38-20.96 mug/kg) were present at the highest concentrations, Results are expressed on a fat basis.