Organochlorine pesticides in the Tisza River (Serbia): Distribution and risk assessment

Paper provided the systematic data on the distribution and risk assess­ment status of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in sediment of the Tisza River (Serbia). The α-HCH, endrin ketone and methoxychlor are the most commonly found OCPs compounds. According to Serbian regulation concentrations of dieldrin, α-HCH, β-HCH and heptachlor were below limit values. In the Tisza River, sediment samples concentrations of aldrin, endrin, γ-HCH, endosulfans, heptachlor epoxide, p,p’-DDD, p,p’-DDE, p,p’-DDT were above limit values but below maximum concentration. Adverse effects are expected occasionally and slight potential health risks may exist to organisms based on the sediment quality guidelines. Upon exposure to organochlorine pesticides through non-dietary routes, results reported no potential cancer risk. The highest risk of cancer was through ingestion of contaminated sediments and minimal through inhalation routes. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. 176006, Grant no. 176019 and Grant no. 43010]