An assessment of health risks posed by consumption of pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables among residents in the Kampala Metropolitan Area in Uganda

Abstract

Background: Pesticide use for fruits and vegetable production in Uganda may result in presence of residues on produce which may pose health risks to consumers. This research aimed at conducting a health risk assessment of presence of pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables in Kampala Metropolitan Area, Uganda. Method: Pesticides were measured in 160 fruits and vegetables samples were analysed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Fruit and vegetable consumption information was collected from 2,177 people. Pesticide concentrations were compared with European Union maximum residual limits (MRLs). Mean values of pesticide concentrations; and fruits and vegetables intake and body weight were used to calculate the estimated daily intake (EDI) of pesticide residues. EDI values were compared with acceptable daily intakes (ADI) to calculate the hazard quotient by age group, and stage of consumption along the chain. Results: Concentrations of fonofos, fenitrothion and fenhexamid were above the European Union MRLs in some samples. Hazard quotients based on dietary ingestion scenarios for eighteen pesticides, including dichlorvos (444) alanycarb (314), fonofos (68), fenitrothion (62), dioxacarb (55) and benfuracarb (24) and others, were above 1, indicating the possibility of chronic health risk to consumers. Chronic health risk decreased with age but was stable for stage at which consumption happens along the food chain. The number of pesticides with EDI greater than the ADI decreased with increase in age; with 18, 13, 9, 11, 8, 9, and 9 pesticides for age groups <5, 5-12, 13-19, 20-25, 36-49 and ≥50 respectively. Conclusion: Chronic dietary pesticide exposures to Ugandans are likely common, and for some pesticides results in exposure exceeding health-based benchmarks. Risks were highest for younger participants. There is urgent need to increase monitoring and regulation of pesticides in fruits and vegetables in order to protect consumers, especially children who are more vulnerable to adverse health effects.