[Residues of organochlorine insecticides in foods in the years 1986-1990].

During 1986-1990 4625 samples of food commodities were examined for residues of organochlorine (OC) insecticides in 10 provinces in Poland. This monitoring included analysis of total DDT (DDT+DDE+DDD), alpha, beta and gamma-HCH, HCB and Methoxychlor (DMDT) in milk and milk products, fruits, vegetables, vegetable oils and baby foods. The median values for DDT in milk and milk products varied from undetectable to 0.23 mg/kg on fat basis, and the draft national tolerance (1.0 mg/kg) was exceeded in 2-5% of samples in 1986 only. In fruits and vegetables the median concentrations of the total DDT usually were below the limit of determination. Generally, during the five years period the downward tendency in DDT complex concentration was observed, but not in case of the total HCH. The residues of OC insecticides in baby foods were generally very low due to establishing of special "low-pesticide" areas for growing raw materials for these products.