INVESTIGATION INTO THE PESTICIDES RESIDUES IN SESAME, MILLET, RICE, AND GUINEA CORN GROWN AROUND THE HADEJIA-KOMADUGU-YOBE RIVER AREA IN YOBE STATE, NIGERIA.

Abstract

Application of pesticides during crop production often results in pesticide residue, a significant source of heavy metals in the harvested crops. This raises concern for consumers' health due to the potentially deleterious effects of pesticides on animals, particularly humans. This study examined the levels of pesticide residues using a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) system and heavy metal elements concentration using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS) in four food crops (Sesame, Millet, Rice, and Guinea corn) cultivated in (Gwio-Kura) Gashua and Hadejia towns in Nigeria. The results disclosed that Sesame was the only crop with Dichlorvos from both Gashua and Hadejia, surpassing the WHO's limit for pesticide residue concentrations, and that the Hadejia samples had higher levels than the Gashua samples. The study also detected traces of Cadmium (Cd), Lead (Pb), Nickel (Ni), and Manganese (Mn) in the crops, but they were below the permissible intake levels established by FAO/WHO. However, Arsenic (As) and Chromium (Cr) exceeded the FAO/WHO limits and may entail serious health problems such as kidney damage and cancer. Mercury (Hg) was not detected in any of the crops. Our findings suggest health authorities monitor and regulate heavy elements intake in food crops, especially those with high toxic contamination, to prevent adverse health effects such as the kidney disease on humans and animals, currently prevalent in the area.