Organochlorine pesticide residues in paddy fish in Malaysia and the associated health risk to farmers

Paddy fish (Trichogaster pectoralis Regan) were collected from five sampling locations in a major paddy-growing area of Malaysia and analysed for organochlorine residues. During the same period, ten farming families, chosen at random from each of the five sampling sites, were interviewed. Information was obtained about the quantity of paddy fish consumed, the amount and type of pesticide used on the paddy-field, and the frequency of application.The pesticide residues found in the fish samples were aldrin/dieldrin, chlordane, HCH, and DDT. Only the projected maximum intake level for aldrin/dieldrin approached the acceptable daily intake as recommended by FAO/WHO; other residue levels were relatively low. However, this study considered only fish; the total daily intake of pesticide residues by the Malaysian paddy farmer may be considerably increased by consumption of other contaminated food.