Risk assessment through dietary intake of total diet contaminated with pesticide residues in Punjab, India, 1999-2002

Forty-six samples each of vegetarian and nonvegetarian total diet consumed from March 1999 to December 2002 by male subjects in the age group of 19-24 years were analyzed to assess their risk through dietary intake with respect to pesticide residues. The results revealed low dietary intake of levels of Σ-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and which were almost comparable to levels reported in developed countries. The results are indicative of contamination of total diet with pesticide residues despite a ban on the use of DDT and restricted use of lindane in agriculture only. Predominance of lindane residues indicates that liquid milk was a main contributory source as it comprises almost 21% to the total diet consumed per day. Concerted efforts by regulatory authorities and emphasis on judicious use of agrochemicals in pest control are required to decrease the burden of these chemicals in food stuffs to levels safe for dietary intake.