Multi-Residue Levels of Persistent Organochlorine Pesticides in Edible Vegetables: A Human Health Risk Assessment

Samuel Oluyemi Adefemi,Joshua Iseoluwa Orege,Samuel Sunday Asaolu,Olayinka Abidemi Ibigbami,Abiodun Folasade Akinsola,Mayowa Akeem Azeez

doi:10.4236/jacen.2018.74013

Samuel Oluyemi Adefemi, Joshua Iseoluwa Orege + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.4236/jacen.2018.74013

Copy DOI

Abstract

Background: This study evaluates the quantitative assessment of persistent organochorine pesticide (OCPs) residues in vegetables (Senecio biafrae) from four selected cocoa plantations in Ekiti State, Nigeria. Methods: The pesticides were extracted from the vegetable samples by using USEPA 3500C method and later clean-up on activated silica gel. The pesticides residues in the samples were determined using Gas Chromatography coupled with Electron Capture Detector (GC-ECD). Results: The results showed that the analyzed samples were contaminated with ten OCPs. The mean OCPs concentration ranged from ND—0.399 mg/kg to ND—0.379 mg/kg during the wet and dry seasons respectively. α-BHC, β-BHC, p, p’-DDE, dieldrin, endrin, endosulfan sulphate and methoxychlor were not detected in the samples. Pesticides such as aldrin, endosulfan II, endrin aldehyde and heptachlor slightly exceeded their maximum residue limit. Conclusion: The hazard indices (HI) of heptachlor, endosulfan I, endosulfan II, aldrin, heptachlor-epoxide and p, p’-DDT exceeded 1 and thus pose likely potential non-carcinogenic health risk.

Highlights

Vegetables are fresh and edible portion of herbaceous plants, which can be eaten raw or cooked [1] [2]
This study evaluates the quantitative assessment of persistent organochorine pesticide (OCPs) residues in vegetables (Senecio biafrae) from four selected cocoa plantations in Ekiti State, Nigeria
The pesticides residues in the samples were determined using Gas Chromatography coupled with Electron Capture Detector (GC-ECD)

Summary

Introduction

Vegetables are fresh and edible portion of herbaceous plants, which can be eaten raw or cooked [1] [2]. They are valuable sources of nutrients such as protein, minerals, vitamins, fibres and other nutrients, which are usually in short supply. Results: The results showed that the analyzed samples were contaminated with ten OCPs. The mean OCPs concentration ranged from ND—0.399 mg/kg to ND—0.379 mg/kg during the wet and dry seasons respectively. Α-BHC, β-BHC, p, p’-DDE, dieldrin, endrin, endosulfan sulphate and methoxychlor were not detected in the samples Pesticides such as aldrin, endosulfan II, endrin aldehyde and heptachlor slightly exceeded their maximum residue limit. Conclusion: The hazard indices (HI) of heptachlor, endosulfan I, endosulfan II, aldrin, heptachlor-epoxide and p, p’-DDT exceeded 1 and pose likely potential non-carcinogenic health risk

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion