Determination of organochlorine pesticide residues in medicinal plants sold in Coimbra, Portugal

Abstract

Levels of 14 organochlorine pesticide residues - 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDT) group (p,p′-DDT, p,p′-DDT, p,p′-DDD, and p,p′-DDE), HCH isomers (α-, β-, and γ-HCH), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), aldrin, dieldrin, endrin, heptachlor, α-endosulfan, and endosulfan sulfate - were evaluated in 127 samples of medicinal plants collected in pharmacies (78 samples) and herb stores (49 samples) in 1996. Samples were divided between 15 national brands and 7 foreign brands. Most samples sold in pharmacies contained residues of γ-HCH (51.3%). All residues were detected in analyzed samples, with exception of endrin in herb store samples. Detection frequency varied between 51.3% for γ-HCH and 1.3% for endrin in pharmacy samples, and between 34.7% for HCB and 4.1% for endosulfan sulfate in herb store samples. Maximum residue levels were exceeded in 38 (48.7%) pharmacy samples and in 26 (53.1%) medicinal herb store samples.