Distribution and risk assessment of suspected endocrine-disrupting pesticides in creek water of Mumbai, India

The present study deals with the investigation of existing pollution levels and potential ecological risk assessment of endocrine-disrupting organochlorine and organophosphorous pesticide residues in the Vasai Creek water near Mumbai. The average concentration of α- and β-endosulfan (137.75 ng·L− 1) exceeds the chronic criteria level of α- and β-endosulfan (6.5 ng·L− 1) set by US EPA for freshwater aquatic organisms. The concentration levels of aldrin (75.31 ng·L− 1), dieldrin (71.19 ng·L− 1) and endrin (76.60 ng·L− 1) was found to exceed the respective criteria levels of < 0.13, 65.1, and 61 ng·L− 1 as set by US EPA for protection of freshwater aquatic organisms. In addition, the level of chlorpyrifos (208.77 ng·L− 1) exceeds the recommended concentration value of < 35 ng·L− 1 set by Ministry of Environment of British Colombia. The results of our study give an indication of probable ecotoxicological risk to the marine breeding organisms of creek.