Health Risk Assessment of Organophosphate Residues in Rice and Vegetables in Banggai, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Agriculture is the largest sector in Indonesia, while farmers commonly use pesticides such as organophosphate to protect farmlands from pests and diseases. However, the residues left on plants due to its application lead to various acute and chronic health problems. AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the risk quotient (RQ) in populations due to organophosphate exposure in food samples. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Environmental health risk assessment was carried out involving 160 respondents, while four vegetable samples were tested for pesticide residue using gas chromatography. Furthermore, the characteristics of the respondents were collected using a questionnaire to calculate the intake and RQ. RESULTS: The results showed that the RQ in the population was <1, while the calculation of RQ for individuals showed that a value >1 was 49 respondents, 27 respondents have an RQ of 1.1–1.5, 17 respondents have an RQ of 1.6–2.0, and 11 respondents have an RQ>2. CONCLUSION: Based on the result, the population is not at risk from its exposure to organophosphate residues in vegetables; however, individual exposure needs a profound attention to prevent the risk associated.