Objectives

To determine and quantify organochlorine pesticide residues in pasteurized cow's milk distributed in the city of Monteria, Colombia.

Materials and Methods

144 samples were collected and analyzed for six months (June-December 2013) from eight commercial brands identified as A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H. Simple sampling by attribute was carried out monthly. The POC (points of contact) were determined using a gas chromatograph with electron capture detector, with a capillary column RTX-5 (30.0 m long x 0.25 mm internal diameter, 0.25 pm film thickness).

Results

The samples analyzed showed organochlorine pesticides, exceeding the maximum residue limit established by the Codex Alimentarius. The concentrations found were: 0.53; 0.15; 0.57; 0.40; 0.22; 0.20; 0.014; 0.002 and 0.028 mg/Kg of Σα-HCH/β-HCH, γ-HCH, δ-HCH, ΣAldrin/Dieldrin, ΣHeptachlor/Heptachlor epoxide, Endrin, α-chlordane, γ- chlordane and Endosulfan I, respectively. The brand with the highest number of pesticide residues detected during the study was A. The G brand had the highest concentration of total pesticide residues with 1.46mg/Kg. The C and D brands had lower concentrations with 0.72 and 0.0016mg/Kg, and δ-HCH and γ- chlordane, respectively.

Conclusions

The samples of pasteurized milk under study had organochlorine pesticides residue levels above the maximum residue limit established by the Codex Alimentarius, indicating a risk to public health, especially in children, which the most vulnerable sub-group.