Organochlorine pesticide residues in human blood in the population of Multan (Pakistan).

Organochlorine pesticide residues were monitored in samples of human blood (N=32), obtained from concerned volunteers suspecting oral, dermal, or inhalation exposure to Endosulfan and Heptachlor, either environmentally, or occupationally, either recently or in the recent past of Multan Division, (Pakistan) during 1995-96. The pesticide residues were extracted with n-hexane; detection and quantification was performed by gas chromatography (Shimadzu GC 14-A) with a 63Ni-Electron Capture Detector (ECD). Residues of Endosulfan were found higher as compared to Heptachlor in all samples. The highest concentration of Endosulfan residues in blood in the population of Multan and Mailsi regions was 90.29 g/kg and 82.14 g/kg, lowest as 58.13 g/kg and 60.13 g/kg while Heptachlor had highest level as 12.978 g/kg and 9.997 g/kg, minimum as 0.37 g/kg and 1.23 g/kg respectively.