Contamination of Wool from Organochlorine Insecticides

Abstract

A survey of the usage of organochlorine insecticides for the protection of sheep from ectoparasites has been given. These insectides present a serious problem in further processing of the wool, especially in the field of treating waste waters from scouring, dyeing and finishing, but the insectides can also be present, above the acceptable level (0.005 mg/kg), in fabric and garment end products. In accordance with the regulations of the British IPC (Integral Pollution Control), wich has been taken as a basis for the EU Directive on Integral Prevention and Pollution Control (IPPC), a certificate denoting the content of insecticides in the raw material should be obtained, as an important document for assessing the wool to be purchased. European Union is working on the final text of the Directive, and the member countries will be obliged to include it into their legislative.