Determination of organochlorine pesticide residues in freshwater fish species in Punjab, India.

The levels of organochlorine pesticides residues were determined in five freshwater fish species in Punjab State, India. These species were selected in view of their importance to local human fish consumer. DDTs were the predominant organochlorine contaminants in all species with pp DDT and pp DDE as the main pollutants. Other organochlorines, such as HCH isomers and dieldrin were also found at lower levels in fish species. The alpha-HCH was the dominant isomer of HCH in all fish species followed by gamma-, beta- and delta-HCH. The residues of aldrin, chlordane, heptachlor and endosulphan were not detected in any fish sample. The levels of organochlorines detected in present study were below the tolerance limits recommended at National and International standards.