MEASURING THE ECONOMIC IMPACT AND HEALTH RISKS OF PESTICIDE RESIDUES IN POTATOES AND GRAPES CROPS

Abstract

The research aims to study pesticide residues on potatoes and grapes to improve and develop the management of integrated control programs, reduce economic losses and do not harm human health, To achieve this, the research relied on the results of the sample data collected from some local markets of some governorates of the Republic, Pesticide residues were evaluated and potential risks assessed for food containing pesticide residues exceeding the maximum allowable limit for each crop. The most important results of the study: - The results of the analysis of the sample of the study, which included 79 samples, potato yield 44 samples, grapes 35 samples, showed that the number of samples free of pesticide residues 31 samples represents 39.24% of the total samples, The number of samples contaminated with pesticide residues was 48 samples representing 60.76% of the total samples. The number of samples exceeding the maximum allowable residues (MRLs) of 16 pesticides represented 33.3% of the total samples contaminated with pesticide residues. - The study also showed the emergence of some organic chlorine pesticides banned since 1972 in some potato crop samples in Assiut governorate. - The results of the study show the presence of some pesticides that exceeded the limit allowed daily intake (EDI), according to what the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the World Health Organization (WHO): Carbofuran with a risk index of about 1128%, or more than the daily intake of about 1028%, followed by the pesticide dezynone with a risk index of about 168% more than the daily intake of 68%. Recommendations:To tighten control on pesticides that are not allowed to be used and to track smuggled pesticides to prevent their circulation in local markets. 2- Raising awareness and training for farmers in the Upper Egypt governorates to rationalize the use of pesticides and methods of applying them with optimum economic efficiency to reduce pollution and the absence of pesticide residues beyond the permissible limits. 3- Continued pesticide residue monitoring programs in all food products to provide and update a database through which future strategies for pest control and consumer protection can be implemented through random exposure to pesticides. 4- Directing the producers of the grapes to rationalize the use of pesticides because they use large amounts and different types of pesticides, which leads to pollution of the crop and thus causing significant economic losses.