Assessment of location-specific human exposure to dichloro-diphenyl trichloroethane and benzenehexachloride in Gujarat state, India

On the basis of the use of insecticides in agri culture and vector control programmes, two locations were selected in Gujarat state, India. In location 1 the insecticides are used in both agriculture and vector control programmes while in location 2 they are used only in agriculture. Raw food commodities, water, soil and blood samples were collected from the people residing in these locations, and analysed for total dichloro-diphenyl trichloroethane and total benzenehexachloride residues. Residue levels were significantly lower in location 2 than in location 1.