Pesticide residues in foodstuffs in Great Britain: XII.—Organochlorine insecticide residues in hens' eggs from battery, deep‐Utter and free‐range systems and from houses containing insecticide thermal vaporisers

Abstract

Abstract A study has been made of the organochlorine pesticide residues in hens' eggs produced in battery, deep‐litter and free‐range systems. Low residues (less than 0.05 ppm) were found except where the birds or their houses had been deliberately treated with pesticides to eradicate fleas or lice. A separate study was also made of eggs produced in houses which had insecticide thermal vaporisers installed in them. The results were variable, depending on a number of factors, but relatively high levels of BHC and DDT were found regularly in the eggs from some of these houses.