Organochlorine pesticides in ambient air of Belize, Central America

Air samples were collected for organochlorine pesticides in Belize, Central America, during December 1995-January 1996 and July-August 1996. Concentrations of DDTs and aldrin/dieldrin were greatly elevated relative to levels measured at Great Lakes monitoring stations, suggesting that Central America is a potential source region for emission of these pesticides. Toxaphene concentrations in Belize and at Great Lakes stations were similar, and both were lower than those recently measured in the southern United States. Chlordane levels in Belize were intermediate between Great Lakes and southern U.S. values. On the basis of these limited measurements, Central America does not appear to be a strong source of toxaphene or chlordanes.