Residues of organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls and autopsy data for bald eagles, 1973-74.

Eighty-six bald eagles found sick or dead during 1973-74 in 24 States were analyzed for organochlorine compounds. DDE was detected in all caracasses; polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB's) were found in all but two. Seventy-five carcasses contained TDE and/or dieldrin. Four eagles had possibly lethal levels of dieldrin in the brain. Bald eagles continue to retain high residue levels of organochlorine pollutants. Illegal shooting remained the most common cause of death but accounted for a smaller percentage of the mortalities than in the two previous biennial collections.