ORGANOCHLORINE PESTICIDE-RESIDUES IN COMMERCIAL PASTEURIZED MILK IN MEXICO-CITY

Milk products are frequently contaminated with toxic organochlorine pe sticides. The level of organochlorine pesticide residues of 96 pasteur ised milk samples was determined by, gas-liquid chromatography. The sa mples were collected from four milk industries in Mexico City. The pes ticides found in the pasteurised milk samples, their average values, t he average value/MRL ratio, and sample percentages exceeding the Maxim um Residue Limits (MRL) were respectively: (alpha+beta)-HCH, 0.22 mu g /g, 2.21, (47.9%), Lindane, 0.07 mu g/g, 0.38, (8.3%), Aldrin + Dieldr in, 0.25 mu g/g, 1.67, (39.5%), Heptachlor + Heptachlor epoxide, 0.15 mu g/g, 1.00, (23.9%), Endrin, 0.05 mu g/g 2.70, (37.5%), DDT and meta bolites, 0.12 mu g/g, 0.10, (0.0%). A follow up study in the control o f organochlorine pesticides present in Mexican pasteurised milk is rec ommended.