Dietary intake of organophosphorus pesticide residues through vegetables from Kumasi, Ghana

Food Chem Toxicol. 2008 Dec;46(12):3703-6. doi: 10.1016/j.fct.2008.09.049. Epub 2008 Sep 26.

Abstract

Contamination and health risk hazards of organophosphorus pesticides residues in vegetables were studied. Ethyl-chlorpyrifos, observed at an average level of 0.211+/-0.010mgkg(-1) in 42% of tomato, 0.096+/-0.035mgkg(-1) in 10% of eggplant and 0.021+/-0.013mgkg(-1) in 16% of pepper was below the 0.5mgkg(-1) MRL. Dichlorvos was the most frequently detected residue in all the samples analyzed. Levels of malathion in tomatoes (0.120+/-0.101mgkg(-1)) and pepper (0.143+/-0.042mgkg(-1)) exceeded the MRL of 0.1mgkg(-1). Health risks were found to be associated with methyl-chlorpyrifos, ethyl-chlorpyrifos, and omethioate in tomatoes and methyl-chlorpyrifos, ethyl-chlorpyrifos, dichlorvos, monocrotophos and omethioate in eggplant. Routine monitoring of these pollutants in food items is required to prevent, control and reduce the pollution and to minimize health risks.

MeSH terms

  • Chromatography, Gas
  • Diet*
  • Food Contamination / analysis
  • Ghana
  • Humans
  • Indicators and Reagents
  • Organophosphorus Compounds / adverse effects
  • Organophosphorus Compounds / analysis*
  • Pesticide Residues / adverse effects
  • Pesticide Residues / analysis*
  • Photometry
  • Risk Assessment
  • Vegetables / chemistry*

Substances

  • Indicators and Reagents
  • Organophosphorus Compounds
  • Pesticide Residues