The present study has been carried out to evaluate the organochlorine pesticide contamination in wheat from Konya region. This region is the largest area of cereal production in Turkey. The contamination level has been determined according to the European Community Directives. Different wheat samples (36) were obtained from local farmers and wheat factories in this region. All the wheat samples examined were found to be contaminated by organochlorine pesticide residues of cis-Chlordane and methoxychlor. Chlordane isomers, methoxychlor, DDT and its metabolites, aldrin, beta HCH, heptachlor and lindane have been found to be the highest organochlorine pesticide residues. In some of these samples, various organochlorine pesticide residues have been determined to be higher than European Community maximum residual limits. The residues of aldrin in one sample, trans-Chlordane in one sample, oxy-chlordane in eight samples and methoxychlor in one sample were found to be in excess of EC MRLs. Since most of the samples have been found to be contaminated with residues and some residues exceed EC MRLs, a control of organochlorine pesticide residues in wheat is necessary.
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