J. Anim Sci.
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J. Anim Sci. 1968. 27:1643-1650.
© 1968 American Society of Animal Science
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DDT Contamination of Feed and Residues in Milk1

R. C. Laben

University of California, Davis2

Abstract

The persistent chlorinated hydrocarbon pesticide residue problem concerning dairy production has evolved through two phases. The first involved direct application to animals and feed, feed contamination by accident or drift in applying to other crops or the feeding of by-product feeds known to have high residues. Education and regulation have reduced these incidents to minor occurrences. The second phase is characterized by low level contamination, (below 0.05 ppm in milk) detectable by improved analytical techniques and due mostly to factors beyond the control of careful management by single operators. The importance and heavy use of DDT in particular, its high stability and transfer from soil to forage crops are elements of a complex and enduring problem. While DDT usage has increased over the past decade, food contamination and human storage levels have not. The low background levels in our environment are apparently not a health hazard. The realization of the important benefit-hazard ratio and the approach to studying possible hazards with this philosophy appears to be the present trend. Important questions regarding possible long-term effects of trace levels of pesticide contamination of our environment are being studied at the cellular level. Further advances in husbandry practices to reduce the background levels in dairy products will depend largely upon knowledge regarding factors that promote break-down of the compounds to non-toxic substances in the soil or bodies of animals. The newly approved tolerances for milk provide the time needed to answer the questions presented by the trace levels of pesticide in our environment without endangering human health or reducing this important source of food.

Footnotes

1 Presented at Special Dairy Cattle Session,59th Annual Meeting, A.S.A.S., July 31, 1967.

2 Department of Animal Science.






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Copyright © 1968 by the American Society of Animal Science.