Abstract
Background:
For decades, the use of organochlorine pesticides has had a detrimental effect on the environment and human health. Contamination of soil, water, and air has resulted in milk being contaminated as well.
Aim:
The purpose of this study was to investigate if any organochlorine residues (DDT, Dieldrin, Endrin and Lindane) were present in raw bovine milk from West Delta, Egypt.
Methods:
Gas chromatography with an electron capture detector was used to evaluate the milk samples collected from different governorates.
Results:
The obtained results revealed that DDT, dieldrin, endrin and lindane were detected in Alexandria, Behera and Matrouh at incidence level (22.7, 30.7 and 10%), (20, 20 and 16%), (9.33, 13.3 and 16%), and (12, 10.7 and 14%) with mean values of 232.2 ± 163.6, 156.4 ± 134.6 and 100.4 ± 85.9; 91.3 ± 61.2, 95.3 ± 59.8 and 57.6 ± 3.33; 15.7± 3.86, 15.1 ± 3.96 and 20.1 ± 7.33; 33.7± 10.6, 36.9 ± 5.51 and 52.2 ± 21.8 ng/g fat, respectively. Behera was the most contaminated province with incidence level 53.3% with mean value 136.8±128.0 ng/g fat followed by Alexandria 44 % with mean value 173.7± 155.5 ng/g fat, finally Matrouh 40% with mean value of 74.5 ± 56.5 ng/g fat.
Conclusion:
This research demonstrated that milk samples contain varying levels of Organochlorine pesticide residues, which can be hazardous to consumer health. Therefore, to safeguard the consumers, especially children and the elderly, organochlorine pesticide residues in milk must be closely monitored.

Key words: Bovine milk, Gas chromatography, Organochlorine.