Levels of organochlorine pesticides residues in meat

Concentrations of organochlorine pesticides (Lindane, Aldrin, Dieldrin, Endosulfan, DDT and DDE) residues in beef samples from the Kumasi and Buoho abattoirs in Ghana were determined using gas chromatography. Organochlorine residues were found in all the samples. The average concentration of lindane in beef fat samples from Kumasi was 4.03 μg/kg and 1.79 μg/kg in beef fat from Buoho. The average levels of lindane were 2.07 μg/kg for lean meat samples from Kumasi abattoir and 0.60 μg/kg in lean meat samples from Buoho. Endosulfan concentration in meat samples from Buoho was 2.28 μg/kg in the fat and 0.59 μg/kg in the lean beef. 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(pdichlorodiphenyl)ethylene (DDE) recorded mean concentrations of 118.45 μg/kg in beef fat and 42.93 μg/kg in lean beef samples from Kumasi abattoir. Beef samples from Buoho had DDE concentration of 31.89 μg/kg in the fat and 5.86 μg/ kg in the lean beef. 1, 1, 1-trichloro-2, 2-bis-(4'-chlorophenyl) ethane (DDT) recorded an average concentration of 545.22 μg/kg in beef fat and 18.85 μg/kg in lean beef samples from Kumasi abattoir. The average concentration of DDT in beef fat from Buoho was 403.82 μg/kg but lean meat samples from the same sampling site recorded mean concentration of 10.82 μg/kg for DDT. Although, most of the organochlorine residues detected were below the maximum limits set by the FAO/WHO, bioaccumulation of these residues is likely to pose health problems in higher organisms like human beings.