Organochlorine Pesticides in Drinking Water from Alwar, NCR of Delhi, India

Abstract

Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) are a class of synthetic pesticides that contain carbon, chlorine, and hydrogen atoms. While they were widely used in the past for agricultural purposes due to their effectiveness in controlling pests, many OCPs have been found to be persistent in the environment and can accumulate in the food chain. This persistence is attributed to their resistance to degradation processes, such as photolysis and microbial breakdown. OCPs can leach into the groundwater from agricultural fields, posing a risk to underground water sources. Contaminated groundwater can be a persistent source of pollution, affecting both surface water and potentially entering drinking water supplies