Pesticide content in the groundwater of Ukraine and health

Abstract

The examinations of groundwaters Ukraine for the content of strong organochloric pesticides: DDT and its metabolites, HCCH and its isomers, aldrin, heptachlor; organophosphoric pesticides: methaphos, carbophos, phosphomide, phozalone; fluorine-containing pesticides: trephlane and others using gas chromatography method were carried out. From 1960 to 2011, 2 million 85-thousand ton pesticides were received on agricultural lands of Ukraine [4]. The pressure of pesticides on the soils of farmland exceeded the protective properties of the natural environment, which led to their entry into the underground geosystem. According to our calculations (over a 10-year period), the average concentration of pesticides in the main aquifers of Ukraine is 3,6·10⁻⁵ mg/dm³ for DDT, 3·10⁻⁵ mg/dm³ for HCCH. The aquifer of Quaternary sediments contains persistent organochloric pesticides 1–2 orders of magnitude less than the deeply located aquifers Cretaceous, Jurassic and Triassic sediments. Most contamination with pesticides is found in the aquifers of groundwater in southern and central Ukraine, much less pollution is observed in the aquifers of the western, eastern and northern regions of the country. At the same time, in the water of the wells up to 8 agricultural pollutes were simultaneously detected in the water of wells, the total effect of which on the human body has not been studied. Evaluated the impact of content of pesticides in groundwater on the incidence rate of the population of Ukraine. Is necessary control and strict regulation of the volumes of one or another class of pesticide preparations when applied to farmland is required. Needs regular monitoring of groundwater quality is required. New data on the levels of pollution of environmental objects with pesticides should be compared with (exceeding the maximum permissible concentration). If the levels of pollution of natural environment objects will increase (exceeding the maximum permissible concentration) then it is necessary to reduce to load of pesticides on agricultural lands and replace old pesticides with new ones. Formation of a balanced environmental management system in the context of sustainable development and the introduction of environmental and innovative technologies in agriculture. Formation and implementation of modern mechanisms of national environmental policy.

Keywords

• groundwater
• organochloric pesticids
• health