[Input of DDT into the environment by forest pest control in 1983/84 in Brandenburg--assessment of the contamination level].

In 1983/84 pesticides including DDT were applied in aviochemical forest pest control in Brandenburg. Our investigations determined loading sites on airfields formerly used for the delivery of pesticides to forest target areas to be the focal points of environmental contamination with DDT. The matrices food, forage, drinking water and soil were analysed in detail with regard to the level of burden. Following from the analytical results the agricultural exploitation of the areas in question is not restricted. An impairment of the quality of drinking water cannot be detected at present. Soil analyses were assessed according to toxicologically derived standard values. An amount of 0.4 mg/kg was accepted as a tolerable burden whilst values exceeding 2.7 mg/kg suggest that remediation will be necessary. The DDT burden level in the upper soil does not restrict utilization.