Abstract
Background.Cowpea is a leguminous crop commonly grown and eaten in Nigeria. Organophosphate insecticides are frequently used to control insect populations in cowpea crops.Objectives.The present study was conducted to investigate the concentrations of organophosphate insecticide residues in cowpea varieties in Gwagwalada, Nigeria, and assess health risks to consumers.Methods.Samples of brown and white cowpea varieties were collected from Gwagwalada market, Abuja, Nigeria. Concentrations of organophosphate insecticide residues in the cowpea samples were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry with selective ion monitoring. Risk evaluation was carried out by the determination of estimated daily intake, hazard quotient and chronic hazard index.Results.The organophosphates detected in the cowpea varieties were malathion, parathion, ethion and carbophenothion. The concentrations of insecticides in the cowpea types were higher than the maximum residue limits recommended by the European Union (EU) and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). The hazard quotient values were less than 100% for malathion, parathion and ethion in the cowpea varieties for adults and children. The hazard quotient of carbophenothion for adults was below 100% for the cowpea types, while the hazard quotient surpassed 100% for children. The chronic hazard indexes for children were 364% and 276% for the brown and white cowpea types, respectively.Conclusions.The results obtained in the present study indicate that consumers, particularly children, may be exposed to health risks through the consumption of cowpea types. Consequently, monitoring and regulation of organophosphate insecticide usage in Nigeria should be intensified.
Highlights
Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) is a legume that is regularly planted in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world for consumption by humans and animals.[1]
The hazard quotient values were less than 100% for malathion, parathion and ethion in the cowpea varieties for adults and children
The present study provides information on the level of contamination of brown and white cowpea varieties with organophosphate insecticides and risk evaluation in adults and children in Gwagwalada, Abuja, Nigeria
Summary
Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) is a legume that is regularly planted in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world for consumption by humans and animals.[1]. The present study was conducted to investigate the concentrations of organophosphate insecticide residues in cowpea varieties in Gwagwalada, Nigeria, and assess health risks to consumers. Concentrations of organophosphate insecticide residues in the cowpea samples were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry with selective ion monitoring. The organophosphates detected in the cowpea varieties were malathion, parathion, ethion and carbophenothion. The hazard quotient values were less than 100% for malathion, parathion and ethion in the cowpea varieties for adults and children. The chronic hazard indexes for children were 364% and 276% for the brown and white cowpea types, respectively. The results obtained in the present study indicate that consumers, children, may be exposed to health risks through the consumption of cowpea types. Organophosphates, malathion, parathion, ethion, carbophenothion, risk evaluation, cowpea. J Health Pollution 28: (201203) 2020 © Pure Earth who come into contact with pesticides during and immediately after their application are at a high risk of exposure, whereas the general public are exposed extensively to minor quantities of pesticides through food and water. 5
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