Occurrence of pesticide residues in market and farm gate samples of vegetables in and around Bangalore city

Periodic monitoring of market and farm gate samples of different vegetables was carried out in and around Bangalore City during 1993 and 1995 for the extent of pesticidal contamination. The market samples of vegetables, monitored for DDT and HCH residues, have shown widespread contamination, mainly with isomers of HCH and traces of the metabolites of DDT. Residues of HCH were, however, within safe limits. The monitoring of farm gate samples showed positive contamination with endosulfan and monocrotophos residues in 40% of samples. While endosulfan residues were within safe limits, monocrotophos residues were detected at bioconcentrations. Synthetic pyrethroids proved to be having a favourable residue profile.