Mixtures of organophosphate and carbamate pesticides are commonly detected in freshwater habitats that support threatened and endangered species of Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus sp.) . These pesticides inhibit the activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and thus have potential to interfere with behaviors that may be essential for salmon survival.
Vegetables (Beta vulgaris L., Abelmoschus esculentus L. and Brassica oleracea L.) from the production and market sites of India were tested for Cu, Cd, Zn and Pb. At market sites, the mean concentration of Cu in cauliflower, and of Zn and Cd in both palak and cauliflower had exceeded the PFA standard. Zn at the production sites also exceeded the PFA standard in cauliflower.
G.S. MUDUR
New Delhi, Feb. 3: The levels of dangerous transfats in vegetable oils sold in India remain unregulated more than a year after a government panel had recommended standards for these hazardous fats, a non-government agency said today.
A method has been developed and validated for the simultaneous analysis of different veterinary drug residues (macrolides, tetracyclines, quinolones, and sulfonamides) in honey. Honey samples were dissolved with Na2EDTA, and veterinary residues were extracted from the supernatant by solid-phase extraction (SPE), using OASIS HLB cartridges.
Sunita Narain, who hit the headlines in 2003 on claims that soft drinks like Pepsi and Coke have high pesticide content, has now targeted the vanaspati industry for high trans fat levels.
A consumer goods manufacturer cannot be imposed with punitive damage unless found guilty of having manufactured a lot of hazardous or contaminated goods, the Delhi State Consumer Commission said.
