Organo chlorine pesticides in human placenta and accompanying fluid

Fifty specimens of placenta and accompanying fluid were collected at random from women of general population and analyzed for organo chlorine pesticides by gas liquid chromatograph using electron capture detector. BHC, Lindane, DDT, DDE, DDD and aldrin were detected in the placental tissue and accompanying fluid. Lindane, DDE and aldrin were more frequently detected. All the women were in their twenties but no correlation could be made between the compound and age, race or residence of the women. This is presumably the first attempt in India to detect the presence of pesticides in relation to their placental transfer, without occupational or accidental exposure.