Uptake and Distribution of super(14)C-Carbofuran and super(14)C-HCH in Cat Fish

At many locations in India, rice farmers grow catfish in rice paddy fields, which is subsequently consumed by humans. Fish samples were collected from various paddies, and the uptake and distribution of radiolabeled carbofuran and hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) were determined in the laboratory. Fish were removed from exposure at time intervals of 5, 10, 24, 36, 48, and 60 h. Maximum amounts of carbofuran were observed in the spleen, while no accumulation was found in liver, brain, gills, and gonads. Appreciable uptake was found in muscle tissue after 48 h, but levels declined after 60 h. No accumulation was found for HCH, with the exception of muscle tissue, which accumulated through the 48-h exposure period. However, these levels declined substantially within 3 d. The overall data indicated no serious bioaccumulation of these insecticides in catfish at the recommended field-application rates.