Application of Biodegradable Pesticides in India
293
Residues of DDT and its metabolites in blood samples from 182 people in
Delhi have been reported (Agarwal et ai., 1976). The average total DDT concentration in the whole blood ranged from 0.177 to 0.683 mg/liter in males and
from 0.166 to 0.32 mg/liter in females, and p,p' -DOE, p,p' -DOD, and p,p'DDT were detected as metabolites. DOE accounted for most of the total DDT.
Eleven members of a village community and five domestic animals developed
symptoms of neurotoxicity in the form of myoclonic jerks and major motor
seizures on being exposed to chlorinated (aldrin and gammaxene) insecticides
for a period of 6-12 months (Gupta, 1975). Eight cases with grand mal epilepsy
in a village of Uttar Pradesh, secondary to accidental contamination of food
grain by BHC, were also reported (Nag et ai., 1977). The distribution of endrin
in different tissues from five different victims after autopsy was assayed by TLC.
It was found that the largest amounts of the insecticide remained in the stomach
and intestine (Tewari and Sharma, 1977). Deaths occurred within 1-2 hr of the
ingestion of the insecticide. Small amounts of organophosphorus, organochlorine, and carbamate insecticides in human biological material were detected by
TLC (Ganguly and Bhattacharya, 1973).
Toxicological experiments on occupational exposure to pesticides in pest
control operators have been conducted by the National Institute of Occupational
Health (NIOH) in Ahmedabad, India, in collaboration with the Industrial Toxicology Research Center in Lucknow. In a study conducted by the NIOH involving 120 exposed workers in a warehouse, 60 each of warehouses and godowns were found to be exposed to celphos, DDVP, and malathion, while the
PCA workers were mostly exposed to chlordane, aldrin, malathion, and heptachlor. A significant reduction in plasma and RBC cholinesterase levels was
found. Liver function tests, namely, SGPT and alkaline phosphatase, showed
no significant difference between the control and both of the exposed groups.
10.10. FUTURE PERSPECTIVES
Pesticide research is an unending process. Identification and isolation of
newer molecules and compounds and preparation of newer formulations are the
only ways to control the increasing menace of pests and to reduce the ill effects
of pesticides to man. Areas for further investigations can be categorized tentatively as follows:
1. Identification and isolation of biologically active molecules which could
easily be biodegraded and synthesized. Documentation of phytochemicals already isolated and exploring the possibility of chemically transforming them. This would take care of the soil, water, and air even with
the projected high levels of consumption of chemical pesticides.
293
Residues of DDT and its metabolites in blood samples from 182 people in
Delhi have been reported (Agarwal et ai., 1976). The average total DDT concentration in the whole blood ranged from 0.177 to 0.683 mg/liter in males and
from 0.166 to 0.32 mg/liter in females, and p,p' -DOE, p,p' -DOD, and p,p'DDT were detected as metabolites. DOE accounted for most of the total DDT.
Eleven members of a village community and five domestic animals developed
symptoms of neurotoxicity in the form of myoclonic jerks and major motor
seizures on being exposed to chlorinated (aldrin and gammaxene) insecticides
for a period of 6-12 months (Gupta, 1975). Eight cases with grand mal epilepsy
in a village of Uttar Pradesh, secondary to accidental contamination of food
grain by BHC, were also reported (Nag et ai., 1977). The distribution of endrin
in different tissues from five different victims after autopsy was assayed by TLC.
It was found that the largest amounts of the insecticide remained in the stomach
and intestine (Tewari and Sharma, 1977). Deaths occurred within 1-2 hr of the
ingestion of the insecticide. Small amounts of organophosphorus, organochlorine, and carbamate insecticides in human biological material were detected by
TLC (Ganguly and Bhattacharya, 1973).
Toxicological experiments on occupational exposure to pesticides in pest
control operators have been conducted by the National Institute of Occupational
Health (NIOH) in Ahmedabad, India, in collaboration with the Industrial Toxicology Research Center in Lucknow. In a study conducted by the NIOH involving 120 exposed workers in a warehouse, 60 each of warehouses and godowns were found to be exposed to celphos, DDVP, and malathion, while the
PCA workers were mostly exposed to chlordane, aldrin, malathion, and heptachlor. A significant reduction in plasma and RBC cholinesterase levels was
found. Liver function tests, namely, SGPT and alkaline phosphatase, showed
no significant difference between the control and both of the exposed groups.
10.10. FUTURE PERSPECTIVES
Pesticide research is an unending process. Identification and isolation of
newer molecules and compounds and preparation of newer formulations are the
only ways to control the increasing menace of pests and to reduce the ill effects
of pesticides to man. Areas for further investigations can be categorized tentatively as follows:
1. Identification and isolation of biologically active molecules which could
easily be biodegraded and synthesized. Documentation of phytochemicals already isolated and exploring the possibility of chemically transforming them. This would take care of the soil, water, and air even with
the projected high levels of consumption of chemical pesticides.