Chlorinated pesticides in foodstuffs in Hong Kong

The movement of pesticides into and out of Hong Kong shows a high net gain of DDT and benzene hexachloride (BHC). 310 food samples were analyzed for total BHC and 1,854 food samples were analyzed for total DDT, total DDE, and total TDE. High levels of total BHC and total DDT were found in foodstuffs in Hong Kong. Estimated daily ingestion of total BHC and total DDT were 10 and 9 times higher than that found in the United States of America. These results correlate with the known high body accumulations of beta BHC and p,p' DDT as shown in high pesticides levels of local human breast milk. Certain foodstuffs, such as preserved fruits, preserved eggs, salted fish and pond fish, had very high levels of pesticides. Sources of contamination and existing government legislations are discussed and recommendations made.