Abstract

                                Egg samples were collected from retail shops at Coimbatore commencing from November 2001 and continued at weekly intervals till March 2002. A gross sample of 10 eggs was purchased once in a week. The residue level in the poultry egg samples varied from BDL-0.031 µg/g. None of the samples were contaminated with γ and β-HCH. Residues of α-HCH was found in only one sample. Out of 18 weekly samples collected and analysed, o,p,-DDT were detected in only one sample (0.023 µg/g). Regarding country hen egg samples, two out of 18 samples were contaminated with endosulfan sulphate residues (0.008 µg/g) and only one sample with o, p’- DDT (BDL-0.046 µg/g). Out of 18 samples, 2 samples were contaminated with dieldrin (0.025 µg/ g). None of the egg samples was contaminated with any of the organochlorine and chlorpyriphos residues above the maximum residue limit (MRL)

Key words : Chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticides, chlorpyriphos, residues, eggs