scholarly journals Quantification of Pesticide Residues in Fresh Vegetables Available in Local Markets for Human Consumption and the Associated Health Risks

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 1804
Author(s):  
Umme Salma Nisha ◽  
Md. Sirajul Islam Khan ◽  
Mohammad Dalower Hossain Prodhan ◽  
Islam Md Meftaul ◽  
Noorjahan Begum ◽  
...  

Human health risks as a result of consuming pesticide residues in fresh vegetables have drawn serious attention to the scientific community, particularly in developing countries. This study analyzed country bean (Lablab purpureus L.) and eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) for widely used neonicotinoid, synthetic pyrethroid, and dithiocarbamate pesticide residues in order to ensure food safety. The analyzed vegetables contained residues of acetamiprid and cypermethrin in 17% of bean and 13% of eggplant samples, respectively; among them, 3% of bean and 1% of eggplant samples had residues of acetamiprid that were above the maximum residue limits set by the European Union (EU-MRLs). None of the samples for either of the analyzed vegetables contained the residue of thiram and lambda-cyhalothrin. In contrast, 83% of bean and 87% of eggplant samples had no detectable pesticides. Thus, the findings were surprising considering the repeated and overuse of pesticides in vegetables in the investigated areas. However, this outcome supports the general claim of pesticide adulteration in terms of the active ingredients, which is another drawback to ensuring food safety. The non-cancer health risk assessment based on the acute health risk to consumer (aHI) and chronic hazard quotient (HQ) indicates that contaminated vegetables might pose a potential threat to children’s health and alarming for adults. This study reflects the overall scenario of pesticide residues in marketed vegetables of Barishal district of Bangladesh, which could help the consumers to bring awareness, and to take necessary actions by the pesticide suppliers and policymakers.

Author(s):  
C. S. Okoye ◽  
C. E. Oguh ◽  
O. J. Umezinwa ◽  
C. C. Uzoefuna ◽  
B. C. Nwanguma ◽  
...  

Quantification of pesticide residues in retail samples of food is one way to determine the level of human exposure to these chemicals and hence their potential health hazards. The study was aimed at quantifying the level of some known pesticides in retail samples of Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. (Cowpea) from two cropping seasons. Five cultivars of cowpea from two different harvest seasons (2016/2017 and 2017/2018) were purchased from Ogige Market, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria. The cowpeas were identified based on city/state where they were cultivated. Two foreign samples were also purchased from London, UK. The pesticide residues were determined using gas chromatography coupled with electron capturing detector (GC-ECD). The results showed that the retail samples of cowpea contained residues of one or more organochlorines and organophosphates. The levels of post-harvest pesticides, 2, 2-dichlorovinyl dimethyl phosphate (DDVP) in 2016/17 season (0.02 μg/g) exceeded the international permissible standards (0.01 μg/g). The levels of the pre-harvest pesticides, glyphosate was low in both seasons (0.01 μg/g) when compared to the international permissible standards (0.1 μg/g).  The DDVP was not detected in the two foreign samples. HCB (Hexachlorobenzene), α-HCH (alpha-Hexachlorocyclohexane), Chlorpyrifos, g-chlordane, t-nonachlor, p-p’-DDT (Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane), p-p’-DDE (Dichlorodiphenyldichlo-rowthylene), and p-p’-DDD (Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane) were detected in the cowpea from two cropping seasons despite being banned from agricultural use. This could be due to the additional application of pesticides during storage of the cowpeas. The findings concludes that the levels of some of the residues exceeded the safety limits while some were below the safety limits, suggesting that some of samples of the cowpea were not safe for human consumption as bioaccumulation, persistence, and toxicity of these residues was likely to pose serious health risks to the consumers. Generally, cowpea from the 2016/17 season contained higher pesticide residues than those from the 2017/18 season.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 1902 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kui Cai ◽  
Zefeng Song

To investigate the bioconcentration and potential health risks of metal(loid)s in a particular agro-ecological area, 230 pairs of soil and corresponding crop grain samples were collected from typical corn and wheat plants. The geo-accumulation index (Igeo), bioconcentration factors (BCF), health risk assessment (the target hazard quotient), and Receptor Prediction Model (PCS-SMLR) analysis were adopted to study the spatial distribution, assess the health risks, and predict the relationship between metal(loid)s and soil properties. It was found that the mean concentrations of Cu, Zn, Pb, Hg, and Cd in the study area’s agricultural soils exceeded the background soil concentrations, especially for Cd (0.2 mg/kg), Meanwhile, the corresponding Cd concentration in wheat samples was higher than the food quality limit. The results of the Igeo showed that the samples with a value higher than 0 for Cd and Hg accounted for 47.83% and 33.48%, respectively. The results of BCF of Cu, Zn, Cd, and As were higher in wheat than in corn, except for Ni. The target hazard quotient (TTHQ) of health risk of wheat, corn, and soil were higher for children (2.48) than adults (1.78), showing a potential health risk for individuals who mostly consume wheat. In addition, the PCS-SMLR analysis of the BCF prediction model for Cu, Zn, As, and soil properties showed differences in terms of the influences from wheat and corn. These results provide valuable information that not only can help local residents improve the staple food structure, but also can get provide a reference metal(loid)s concentration level for agricultural soils in the study area and restore a sustainable agro-ecological environment.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Akram ◽  
Rukhsar Fatima ◽  
Atta Rasool ◽  
Allah Wasaya

Abstract Water is very important to maintaining life on earth. Fluoride and Arsenic pollution in groundwater is an emerging issue in the world. Atomic absorption spectrometry was used to measure total arsenic, while ion chromatography was used to determine fluoride. The present study was conducted for the health risk assessment of fluoride and arsenic in groundwater around brick kilns. 58 samples of groundwater were collected from district Vehari Punjab and were analyzed for arsenic concentration ranges from 0.330 to 11.120 µg/L, higher than the WHO recommended permissible level of arsenic in drinking water (10 µg/L). The mean value of fluoride in the water supply for drinking is 2.599 mg/L as its concentration ranges are 0.680 to 9.690 mg/L respectively. All the values of fluoride in drinking water were higher than the permissible limit according to WHO standard 1.5 mg/L. The spatial distribution of arsenic and fluoride in groundwater indicates their direct contamination with rock weathering, coal burning, and the use of cheap fuel in brick kilns. The estimated average dose (ADD), hazards quotient (HQ), as well as cancer risk (CR), were computed using statistical formulae to determine the health risks of arsenic and fluoride. The hazard quotient (HQ) values of As and F− in this research area were higher protection and safe limits (HQ > 1), having health risks to the people in this region, caused by brick kilns. Statistical parameters correlation and cluster analysis were used to determining possible contaminant sources in the study area.


2017 ◽  
Vol 20 (K6) ◽  
pp. 87-94
Author(s):  
Son Anh Tran ◽  
Ky Quang Dang

The problem of pesticide residues in vegetables, especially leafy vegetable is the big concern to both customers and exporters. These days, plants, where people use postharvest technologies, are located in Cu Chi, Hoc Mon và Binh Chanh. Due to their simple and obsolete features, those technologies are in need of significant investment with a view to serving manufacture and accommodating customers' demand. This research aims at proposing a fresh vegetables handling process based on elements affecting the process by ultrasonic, micro bubbles and Ozone. The result of research is concentrated on studying, designing and implementing the equipment in line 200 kg/h productivity. It demonstrates an effective combination of cleaning and removing pesticide residues to the extent that is regulated by of Ministry of Health’s Food safety standards.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammed Alsafran ◽  
Kamal Usman ◽  
Muhammad Rizwan ◽  
Talaat Ahmed ◽  
Hareb Al Jabri

High levels of metal(oid)s in soil or food pose a severe health risk to humans. The potential toxicants find their way into the living systems via the food chain, following bioaccumulation in edible plants, including leafy vegetables grown in or irrigated with contaminated soil or water, respectively. The current study determines the levels of vanadium (V), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), arsenic (As), lead (Pb), and cadmium (Cd) in leafy vegetables (rocca, coriander, and parsley) grown in different open irrigated farms in Qatar and investigates their potential human health risks (carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic). The mean concentrations of V, Cr, Ni, Cu, As, Cd, and Pb in rocca are 17.09, 6.41, 1.70, 13.04, 14.72, 0.90, and 6.36 mg/kg, respectively; in coriander are 15.91, 6.03, 1.38, 15.30, 16.86, 0.43, and 5.00 mg/kg, respectively; and in parsley are 16.25, 6.26, 2.19, 17.97, 16.60, 0.51, and 5.46 mg/kg, respectively. The mean levels of V, Cr, As, Cd, and Pb were observed to be higher than the recommended World Health Organization (WHO)/Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) values. The target hazard quotient (THQ) values of Cu and As were found to be greater than 1 for the adult population. For the two elements (i.e., Cu and As), the THQ varied from 1.03 to 1.42 and 1.17 to 1.44 in men. In women, the values ranged from 1.20 to 1.65 and 1.35 to 1.55, for Cu and As, respectively. The hazard index (HI) of rocca, coriander, and parsley was 3.99, 4.10, and 4.43, respectively, in men, 4.64, 4.76, and 5.14, respectively, among women. The carcinogenic risk (CR) of Cr, Ni, and As ranged from 7.16 × 10−4 to 7.61 × 10−4, 5.57 × 10−4 to 8.85 × 10−4, and 5.24 × 10−3 to 6.01 × 10−3, respectively, in men. In women, it ranged from 8.31 × 10−4 to 8.83 × 10−4, 6.47 × 10−4 to 1.03 × 10−3, and 6.09 × 10−3 to 6.97 × 10−3, respectively, in all vegetables. In crux, the consumption of rocca, coriander, and parsley grown in selected farms in Qatar poses a major health risk (both noncarcinogenic and carcinogenic) to the consumer. As a result, we recommend that vegetables grown in the studied areas be closely monitored to protect consumer health.


Author(s):  
Murtala Muhammad ◽  
I. Y. Habib ◽  
Ismail Hamza ◽  
Tasiu A. Mikail ◽  
Abdulmumin Yunusa ◽  
...  

Aims: The aim of this study is to investigate the heavy metals pollution status and health risks assessment of the vegetables grown at Danbatta irrigation lands. Study Design: The research involved the collection of soil, water and cultivated vegetable from irrigation lands as well as analyzing their heavy metals pollution status. Place and Duration of Study: Samples were collected from Danbatta irrigation lands of Kano state, Nigeria. The research study covered a period of one year. Methodology: This study investigates the prevalence of heavy metals pollution and related health risks associated with the vegetables grown at Danbatta local government of Kano state. This was achieved by collecting irrigation soil, water and vegetables (onion, spinach and lettuce) from the irrigation sites, which were subsequently assayed for several heavy metals such as; Pb, Mn, Cu, Fe, Zn and Co using atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). Results: The results obtained show that the concentrations of Pb, Cu and Zn in water samples to be 0.033, 0.8, and 0.89 mg/ml, respectively, while Mn and Co were not detected. Even though concentrations of these metals in water are within FAO/WHO limits, the soil was found to be contaminated with Cu (12.17 mg/kg), Fe (152.29 mg/kg) and Zn (55.75 mg/kg). Furthermore, both spinach, lettuce and onion were contaminated with Pb, and Mn. However, only lettuce and spinach were contaminated with Cu, Fe and Zn. Health risk assessment of both adults and children show that Pb, Mn, Co and Cu, posed a significant health risk to the population as their health risk index (HRI) is greater than one. The result shows that poor agricultural practices could be responsible for contaminating the soil with heavy metals, which eventually gets accumulated in the edible parts of the plants and posed a great risk to its consumers. Impacts of heavy metals pollution is on the rise across the globe. As such, it becomes necessary to monitor our environment to checkmate the threat of these contaminants and implement a reliable strategy and stable treatment of the pollution to ensure food safety.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 259-259
Author(s):  
Grace Taiwo Otitoju ◽  
Olawale Otitoju

Abstract Objectives There is a growing public health concern on the indiscriminate use of pesticides in agriculture among farmers from developing countries including Nigeria. The presence of pesticide residues in food samples may pose a deleterious effect on food safety and consequently compromise the health of consumers especially children, elderly, and pregnant women. The estimation of pesticides residues via dietary intake constitutes a vital integral part of regulatory processes that seeks to preserve public health. This study is therefore focused on the estimation of some pesticide residues in samples of Irish potatoes collected from Jos Nigeria. Methods The samples were collected from five different markets in Jos Plateau State Nigeria. All the samples were transported to the Central Research Laboratory, Ilorin, Nigeria. The pesticide residue analysis was carried out using GC/MS after sample extraction, filtration and Concentration. After the analysis was carried out, the result obtained were subjected to statistical analysis using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) statistical software (version 21) after which the Mean, Standard deviations and ANOVA (Analysis of variance) were calculated. Results The result shows that 17 different pesticide residues were identified with ten (10) organochlorines, two (2) organophosphates, one (1) thiocarbamate, one (1) benzamide and two (2) of them were unclassified. The concentration of these pesticides were determined which was then used to determine the estimated daily intake. The ADI and MRL for each pesticide was sought for and the health risk was also evaluated. With the results obtained, it was noticed that most of these pesticides usually exceed their ADI and MRL which then makes them hazardous to the human health. Considering the health risk index of consumers Aldrin, Heptachlor, Mecarbem and Dieldrin proved to be very hazardous (P > 1). Conclusions These pesticides can cause harmful effects on the food commodities which ultimately cause a damaging impact on the health of human. To guarantee food safety, continuous monitoring is recommended for pesticide residues in Irish potatoes. Funding Sources Self-sponsored.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Defang Zeng ◽  
Saijun Zhou ◽  
Bozhi Ren ◽  
Tengshu Chen

Heavy metal pollution in soils caused by mining and smelting has attracted worldwide attention for its potential health risks to residents. This paper studies the concentrations and accumulations of Sb and As in both soils and vegetables and the human health risks of Sb and As in vegetables from Xikuangshan (XKS) Sb mine, Hunan, China. Results showed that the soils were severely polluted by Sb and As; Sb and As have significant positive correlation. Sb and As concentrations in vegetables were quite different:Coriandrum sativumL. was the highest in Sb,Allium fistulosumL. was the highest in As, andBrassica pekinensisL. was the lowest in both Sb and As;Daucus carotaL. andCoriandrum sativumL. showed advantage in accumulating Sb and As;Coriandrum sativumL. had higher capacity of redistributing Sb and As within the plant. Health risk assessment results showed that the hazard quotient (HQ) values of Sb and As in vegetables were in the ranges of 1.61–3.33 and 0.09–0.39, respectively; the chronic daily intake (CDI) and hazard quotient (HQ) values of Sb were over the safe limit recommended by FAO and WHO, indicating that long-term consumption of vegetables from the surrounding soils of XKS mine may bring health risks to residents.


Author(s):  
Sunusi Usman ◽  
Ahmad Faizal Abdull Razis ◽  
Khozirah Shaari ◽  
Mohammad Noor Azmai Amal ◽  
Mohd Zamri Saad ◽  
...  

Technological advances, coupled with increasing demands by consumers, have led to a drastic increase in plastic production. After serving their purposes, these plastics reach our water bodies as their destination and become ingested by aquatic organisms. This ubiquitous phenomenon has exposed humans to microplastics mostly through the consumption of sea food. This has led the World Health Organization (WHO) to make an urgent call for the assessment of environmental pollution due to microplastics and its effect on human health. This review summarizes studies between 1999 and 2020 in relation to microplastics in aquatic ecosystems and human food products, their potential toxic effects as elicited in animal studies, and policies on their use and disposal. There is a paucity of information on the toxicity mechanisms of microplastics in animal studies, and despite their documented presence in food products, no policy has been in place so far, to monitor and regulates microplastics in commercial foods meant for human consumption. Although there are policies and regulations with respect to plastics, these are only in a few countries and in most instances are not fully implemented due to socioeconomic reasons, so they do not address the problem across the entire life cycle of plastics from production to disposal. More animal research to elucidate pathways and early biomarkers of microplastic toxicity that can easily be detected in humans is needed. This is to create awareness and influence policies that will address this neglected threat to food safety and security.


2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hexing Wang ◽  
Dongjian Yang ◽  
Hongji Fang ◽  
Minghui Han ◽  
Chuanxi Tang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Recent studies have suggested an extensive exposure to neonicotinoids in human, but the sources and health risk of exposure to neonicotinoids remains little known in children. Methods After 309 school children were selected in 2019 from a dynamic child cohort established in Shanghai, East China, detailed data about basic information, intake of drinking water, and food consumption were collected and 12 typical neonicotinoids and metabolites were determined in morning urine. Sources of exposure to neonicotinoids were explored by binary/ordinal logistic regression model. Health risk was assessed by hazard quotient (HQ) and hazard index (HI). Results Except for imidaclothiz, thiacloprid, and 5-OH-imidacloprid, other six neonicotinoids and three metabolites were detected in 81.3% of urine samples overall. After adjusted for potential confounders, Thiamethoxam was more detected in children consuming more fresh vegetables (odds ratio (OR): 2.93, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.21,7.14) and its subgroup (Chinese cabbage (OR: 2.00, 95%CI: 0.89,4.46) and nori and kelp (OR: 2.25, 95%CI:1.21,4.17)). Clothianidin showed a similar association with fresh vegetables and its subgroup to thiamethoxam. N-desmethyl-acetamiprid were detected in children drinking type water more (OR: 1.84, 95%CI: 1.10,3.06). The maximum HQ and HI were 0.3522 and 0.5187, respectively, and 2.8% of children had HIs between 0.1 and 1. Conclusions Tap water and fresh vegetables were potential exposure sources. A low health risk was posed on Chinese children by neonicotinoids. Given limited data about the adverse effects of neonicotinoids on human, sufficient attention should be paid to the exposure to these compounds and potential health effects. Key messages Tap water and fresh vegetables were exposure sources and a low health risk was posed on Chinese children by neonicotinoids.


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