• 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 13  (1) , 23-27
Abstract
Organochlorine pesticides were monitored annually in the major agricultural areas of the United States from 1968-1973. Results show that agricultural soils are widely contaminated with low levels of organochlorine residues [chlordane, DDT, DDE, dieldrin, etc.]. Residue concentrations are decreasing as applications of the compounds decrease. Annual monitoring of urban areas since 1969 has demonstrated that urban soils generally have higher pesticide residue concentrations than do agricultural soils in the same locations. High concentrations of Hg, Cd, and Pb were also observed in urban soils.