Persistent Pesticides in Mexico

Effect of Insecticides on Plankton and Fish of Ignacio Ramirez Reservoir (Mexico): A Biochemical and Biomagnification Study

“…Aldrin, dieldrin, and endrin have been banned in Me´xico since 1991 (Diario Oficial de la Federacio´n, 1991), but the use of organochlorine has not been completely stopped in Me´xico. Considerable insecticide residues have been measured in freshwater fish and crustaceans (Albert, 1996). Our results confirm the extensive use of organochlorine and organophosphate pesticides at the IR dam catchment area, with concentrations higher than those recommended (Albert, 1996).…”

“…Considerable insecticide residues have been measured in freshwater fish and crustaceans (Albert, 1996). Our results confirm the extensive use of organochlorine and organophosphate pesticides at the IR dam catchment area, with concentrations higher than those recommended (Albert, 1996). Due to the high levels of pesticides in water at IR dam, the possibility of toxic synergism of insecticides does exist.…”

“…The latter pesticides are well known to be highly persistent in a wide range of organisms (fish, crustaceans, bivalves) (Albert, 1996), due to lipophilic activity and because they exhibit a high bioconcentration factor (Walker, 1987). It was remarkable that the water concentration of dieldrin was higher than those of the other two orgnochlorine insecticides, but the BCF of the former pesticide was lower than those of aldrin and endrin.…”

“…Due to the persistent nature of organochlorine pesticides, organophosphate compounds are favored and used in agricultural pest control, but the degree of acute toxicity of organophosphates is higher than that of organochlorine pesticides (Albert, 1996). Aldrin, dieldrin, and endrin have been banned in Me´xico since 1991 (Diario Oficial de la Federacio´n, 1991), but the use of organochlorine has not been completely stopped in Me´xico.…”

Persistent organic pollutant concentrations in first birth mothers across Mexico

“…Owing to its toxic effects on wildlife and its high persistence in the environment and in the food chain, the use of DDT was banned in the 1970s in the United States and Canada, whereas in Mexico it was restricted to public health campaigns against vectors of malaria and dengue fever. DDT use was banned in 2000 and the remaining reserves were eliminated in 2009 (Panamerican Health Organization, 1992;Albert, 1996;Gobierno Federal, 2009). Total concentrations of DDT and DDE found in our study were lower than those seen by Torres-Sanchez et al (2007) and Longnecker et al (2007), but this is expected because those studies were conducted in Morelos and Chiapas where DDT was extensively used for malaria control.…”