The accumulation and run-down of dieldrin in wethers grazed on paddocks previously treated with dieldrin

Authors

Tony AlbertsenFollow
Roy Casey
Keith CrokerFollow

Keywords

Sheep, Dieldrin, Organochlorine compounds, Residues, Western Australia, Bunbury

Disciplines

Chemicals and Drugs | Food Processing | Sheep and Goat Science | Toxicology

First Page Number

119

Last Page Number

123

ISSN

0021-8618

Abstract

In mid 1987, the organochlorines (O/Cs) DDT, dieldrin, heptachlor and chlordane were deregistered for agricultural and horticultural use in Australia. These chemicals had been used widely, and land on several hundred Western Australian farms, particularly where potatoes had been grown, was contaminated with chemical residues. Livestock grazing pastures on such land was also contaminated, and our beef exports were threatened. In 1988, the Western Australian Department of Agriculture started a two-year project to collect information from sheep which were grazed on land that had previously been treated with O/Cs, particularly dieldrin. The levels of O/Cs in body and wool fats were monitored to obtain information on potential residues in export products.

Recommended Citation

Albertsen, Tony; Casey, Roy; and Croker, Keith (1990) "The accumulation and run-down of dieldrin in wethers grazed on paddocks previously treated with dieldrin," Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4: Vol. 31: No. 3, Article 10.
Available at: https://library.dpird.wa.gov.au/journal_agriculture4/vol31/iss3/10