Honey as a bioindicator of environmental organochlorine insecticides contamination

Abstract Honey is a suitable matrix for the evaluation of environmental contaminants including organochlorine insecticides. The present study was conducted to evaluate residues fifteen insecticides in honey samples unifloral and multifloral origins from Dir, Pakistan. (5 g each) were extracted with GC grade organic solvents then subjected Rotary Evaporator till dryness. extracts mixed n-Hexane ml) purified through Column Chromatography. Purified (1μl processed Gas Chromatograph coupled Electron Capture Detector (GC-ECD) identification quantification Of 15 tested, 46.7% detected while 53.3% not samples. Heptachlor most prevalent insecticide mean level 0.0018 mg/kg 80% followed by β-HCH 0.0016 71.4% Acacia modesta Wall. 100% positive 0.0048 0.003 frequency 83.3%. Minimum levels tested Ziziphus jujuba Mill. Methoxychlor, Endosulfan, Endrin metabolites DDT studied Some are banned Pakistan but still indicating their use area. all below Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) safe consumers. However, can cause mortality insect fauna. one main factors responsible declining populations important pollinators honeybees.