Contamination of bagged whole ginger after surface treatment with two synthetic contact insecticides

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Abstract
Standard size hessian sacks containing whole ginger were sprayed with aqueous dispersions of DDT water‐dispersible powder (one application: estimated deposit 800 mg./sq. ft.) or malathion water‐dispersible powder (six, monthly applications: estimated total deposit 1400 mg./sq. ft.), and stored in a warehouse in Jamaica. Insecticide residues in surface samples taken after 5 weeks (upper side) and 31 weeks (lower side) did not exceed 14 and 17 p.p.m, respectively for DDT and z and 5 p.p.m. respectively for malathion. High amounts of residual DDT were apparently correlated not only with length of storage but also with restricted ventilation during storage. Such a correlation was not apparent in the case of malathion.It is concluded that DDT should not be used for the protection of large stacks of bagged whole ginger without further investigation, but that malathion used at normal rates over a 6‐month period would not cause significant contamination.

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