In most southeast Asian countries DDT was common contaminant in animal origin foodstuffs, due to the recent use of DDT in vector control operations. Dietary intake were about 10 times more than the more developed countries. DDT, aldrin and dieldrin were detected in meat in Thailand and Malaysia. Meat and fish were the major source of OCI in Australia. Current intake of OCI of developing countries in Asia is at least 5-100 fold greater than those in more developed countries, suggesting a greater risk.
Malnutrition contributes to the risk.
In addition to DDT, exposure to HCH and dieldrin may cause adverse effects to infants because they are more vulnerable to toxic effects. Compared to 1970s OCI residues in China have decreased significantly. It was shown that this is due to recent increase of the imported meat and meat products. In Egypt aldrin, dieldrin, endrin, and heptachlor were not detected in food of animal origin. No OCI were found in citrus fruits.