An environmental study found traces of harmful chemicals such as DDT and PCBs in some of its samples, including food items, water, sediment and soil, collected from different parts of the country.

The study sponsored by GEF-UNDP and conducted by the Department of Environment (DoE) was released at a research sharing seminar and workshop held at the LGED auditorium in the city yesterday.

According to the study, different levels of DDT were found in some samples of dry fish from Chittagong, Cox's Bazar and Kishoreganj, especially in 'loitta' fish, but no DDT or PCBs were found in fresh fish.

Dry fish samples collected from

Saint Martin's Island, Kuakata and Syedpur and Dhaka city New Market areas were found free from DDT and PCBs. Vegetables and fruit samples were also found free from such chemicals, it added.

The results indicate that extra DDT was sprayed during fish drying processes and preservation in some localities and the amount varied from area to area, said the experts in the seminar.

PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) is a harmful chemical found in electrical transformer oil. Low levels of PCBs were found in deep-fried foods such as chanachur, singara, dalpuri, piyaju and jilapi, the study found.

The experts urged the government to take steps to check sale of transformer oil in the open market.

They also suggested using net

instead of DDT while preparing dry fish.

These harmful chemicals might be absorbed by human fat cell and they can change the DNA, they said.

Speaking as the chief guest, Environment Secretary SM Jahurul Islam said the government would adopt a regulatory mechanism immediately as a signatory to the Stockholm Convention that identified 12 hazardous persistent organic pollutants (POPs).

UNDP Assistant Country Director Shireen Kamal Sayeed said that UNDP would provide all necessary support in operationalising a regulatory mechanism in the country.

DoE Director General Khondakar Rashedul Haq, Director Mohammad Reazuddin and Project Director Afrin Sultana also spoke.