Pesticide residues in urban soils from 14 United States cities, 1970.

Soil in 14 cities was sampled and analyzed for arsenic and chlorinated hydrocarbon pesticide residues. Heavy loads of chlorinated hydrocarbon residues were detected in the soil. In addition to DDT and its metabolites, chlordane, dieldrin, endrin, heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide, and toxaphene were detected. District variation appeared in some residue levels among cities. Pesticide residue levels in urban soils were generally higher than the residue levels detected in cropland soils of the same States.