AIM To compare the pesticide hexachlorocyclohexane (BHC), dichlorodiphenyl trichloroethane (DDT) and pentachloronitrobenzene (PCNB) contents in 23 kinds of traditional Chinese medicine with the existing limits in the world. METHODS The contents of BHC, DDT and PCNB in 23 kinds of medicinal medicines were determined according to the method given in the addenda IXQ of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2000). Average values and standard deviations of every pesticide in every medicinal material and 23 kinds of medicinal materials were obtained. This is the first time to use the percentile statistical technology to make statistics and get the limited values (80% value) of pesticide residues which made 80 percent samples qualified. The probable daily intake of pesticide residues from the traditional Chinese medicine by Chinese adult were calculated according to the dosage of 300 g herbal medicine every day. RESULTS Statistical results showed that the contents of total BHC, total DDT and PCNB in most samples were under the prescriptive standard of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2000). Total BHC and total DDT in traditional Chinese medicine with a dosage of 300 g medicinal materials were close to their intake from total food. The sums of total BHC and total DDT from the traditional Chinese medicine and total daily food intake by Chinese adult were much lower than the acceptable daily intake (ADI) values proposed by the FAO/WHO. CONCLUSION The limited standards of pesticide residues in Chinese Pharmacopoeia is reasonable and safe and also suitable for the fact of the traditional Chinese medicine in our country.
