TITLE:
Multi-Residue Levels of Persistent Organochlorine Pesticides in Edible Vegetables: A Human Health Risk Assessment
AUTHORS:
Samuel Oluyemi Adefemi, Samuel Sunday Asaolu, Olayinka Abidemi Ibigbami, Joshua Iseoluwa Orege, Mayowa Akeem Azeez, Abiodun Folasade Akinsola
KEYWORDS:
Organochlorine Pesticides, Vegetables, Risk, Residues, Gas Chromatography
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Agricultural Chemistry and Environment,
Vol.7 No.4,
November
6,
2018
ABSTRACT: Background: This study evaluates the quantitative assessment of
persistent organochorine pesticide (OCPs) residues in vegetables (Senecio biafrae) from four selected
cocoa plantations in Ekiti State, Nigeria. Methods: The pesticides were
extracted from the vegetable samples by using USEPA 3500C method and later
clean-up on activated silica gel. The pesticides residues in the samples were
determined using Gas Chromatography coupled with Electron Capture Detector
(GC-ECD). Results: The results showed that the analyzed samples were
contaminated with ten OCPs. The mean OCPs concentration ranged from ND—0.399 mg/kg to ND—0.379 mg/kg during the wet
and dry seasons respectively. α-BHC, β-BHC, p, p’-DDE, dieldrin, endrin, endosulfan sulphate and methoxychlor were not detected in the samples. Pesticides such as
aldrin, endosulfan II, endrin aldehyde and heptachlor slightly exceeded their
maximum residue limit. Conclusion: The hazard indices (HI) of heptachlor, endosulfan I, endosulfan II, aldrin,
heptachlor-epoxide and p, p’-DDT
exceeded 1 and thus pose likely potential non-carcinogenic health risk.