Leaf-air transfer of organochlorine pesticides from three selected vegetables.

The leaf-air transfer of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in three kinds of vegetables, namely lettuce, romaine and garlic leaves was investigated. It was found that although the uptake of OCPs by the three selected vegetables was similar under controlled conditions, the depuration varied significantly among chemicals and plant species in terms of elimination rate, final residue of each OCPs, as well as the effect of temperature on the residue of OCPs in the vegetables. The results indicated that neither QCB nor HCB could be trapped tightly by any of the three selected vegetables, in contrast, p,p'-DDT could be retained effectively by all of them; the retainment of alpha-HCH, gamma-HCH, p,p'-DDE, was dependent on the vegetable species, of which the garlic leaf had the biggest ability to trap them. Our work provided insight into the behavior of OCPs in the agroecosystem.

Bioavailability to rats of 14C-lindane residues in stored potato tubers.

Potato tubers were applied with radiolabelled lindane (U-14C gamma- 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane) at three dose levels 30, 150, and 300 ppm and stored for 30, 60 and 90 days at room temperature. The data revealed that lindane penetrated into the pulp tissues through the epidermal layer. The amounts recovered in the peel were found to increase with a greater storage period up to 60 days followed by a drop at 90 days. On the other hand, there was a slight increase in radioactivity in the pulp tissue from 30 to 60 days followed by significant increase after 90 days. The incorporation of the compound in the tubers was dose independent. Methanol extraction showed binding of about 8.1% and 5.8% of the applied dose in peel and pulp tissues, respectively. The insecticide was found to be bioavailable when rats health hazard. It is therefore, desirable to demonstrate that the quantity of the terminal residues may be safe for the consumer. In the present investigation an attempt was made to determine the fate and bioavailability of lindane when applied to stored potato tubers.

Cholestyramine as an adsorbent in acute lindane poisoning: a murine model.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To compare the effectiveness of single-dose cholestyramine versus single-dose activated charcoal in preventing clinical toxicity after acute lindane ingestion. DESIGN: CD-1 mice received lindane by enteral (gavage) and parenteral (intraperitoneal) routes, followed by enteral administration of either cholestyramine (2.25 g/kg) or activated charcoal (2.25 g/kg), with subsequent observation for convulsions and death. MEASUREMENTS: The doses of lindane at which 50% of mice developed convulsions (CD50) and at which 50% of mice died (LD50) were established and compared among control, charcoal-, and cholestyramine-treated groups. RESULTS: For lindane administered by gavage, the differences in the CD50 and LD50 between the control and the activated charcoal groups were not statistically significant. However, a significant difference did exist in both the CD50 and the LD50 between the group receiving cholestyramine and the control group and between the cholestyramine and activated charcoal groups. After IP administration of lindane, the difference in CD50 or LD50 among control, activated charcoal, or cholestyramine groups was not significantly different. CONCLUSION: In the murine model, cholestyramine is more effective than activated charcoal in preventing absorption of lindane, thus preventing convulsions and death. These data support the need for clinical studies to determine whether cholestyramine may be a more effective treatment than activated charcoal for acute lindane ingestions in human beings.