Detection of Carbamates and Organophosphorus Pesticides and Residues in Selected Vegetables in Northern Philippines

Abstract

Acute pesticide poisoning is a serious public health problem in developing countries like the Philippines. Pesticides like organophosphates (OP) and carbamates are the most widely used pesticides in the world. The presence of these pesticides and their residues from two vegetable provincial producers: La Trinidad, Benguet and Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya in Northern Philippines were determined using the Colorimetric Spot Technique. The source (Factor A) and the type (Factor B ) of vegetables were examined using the Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) in Factorial with three replications to allocate treatments. Results showed that the source and type of vegetables were not statistically significant on the amount of pesticide residue. Source and vegetable combination interaction had no statistical significance on the amount of pesticide residue. However, cabbage (T1) was found to have the highest amount of organophosphate pesticide residue followed by Chinese pechay (T2) and cauliflower (T3). In terms of location or vegetable source, both Benguet (S1) and Nueva Vizcaya (S2 ) showed the presence of pesticide residue. String beans, Baguio Beans and tomatoes registered positive with the Carbamate Detection Kit. The study concludes that none of the treatments analyzed exceeds the safe level of toxic substances as to source and type. Keywords - carbamates, organophosphates, colorimetric spot technique, cruciferae, pesticide , residue