Fate of HCH (BHC) in Tropical Paddy Field: Application Test in South India

Abstract
A HCH (BHC) application test was conducted in an experimental paddy field in the Vellar river watershed, Tamil Nadu state, South India. Interestingly, most of the HCH applied to the field was found to volatilize rapidly as low residue levels in water, rice plant and soil were recorded. After two weeks of an application, more than 90% of the HCH was found in the air and less than 10% in water, soil and rice plants, thus emphasizing that post-application volatilization is a major route for transport of insecticides to and through the atmosphere in tropical paddy areas.