Risk assessment of pollution with pesticides in food in the Eastern Romania area (1996-1997).

The extensive use of pesticides in agriculture can entail risks for environment and non-target organisms. Hence the need to assess the nature and degree of the risk and at the same time to take preventive measures aimed at minimizing possible damages. The aim of the present study was to investigate the pesticide residues in food and the human body (maternal, young) in the Eastern Romania area, between 1996 and 1997. The organochlorine pesticide residues were analyzed using gas-chromatographic method. DDT-total and HCH-total were determined in 'food' (milk, bread, diets, coffee) sampled in the Eastern Romania area; 'maternal body' (placenta, milk, urine) and 'young body' (serum, urine) from the Iassy district. These pollutants present in all analyzed products involve the necessity of the pollution reduction by a rational use of the pesticides and the continuation of the chemical pollutants determination in the environment elements for cancer prevention and the control of the exposure to environmental carcinogens and their effects.