article · Journal of Health and Pollution
Fluted pumpkin and amaranth are widely grown and eaten leafy vegetables in southwestern Nigeria, but they require pesticide application to manage insect pests. Chemical analysis using gas chromatography with an electron capture detector evaluated the concentrations of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane and hexachlorocyclohexane residues in these crops. Health risk assessments were conducted for both children and adults using estimated average daily intake and hazard indices. The findings indicate that hexachlorocyclohexane in amaranth exceeded acceptable standards, yielding a hazard index greater than one for adults. Consequently, consuming these contaminated vegetables presents non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks to both children and adults. Addressing these risks requires stricter enforcement of pesticide regulations.
Leafy vegetables are dietary staples, yet chemical treatments used to control pests can leave dangerous chemical residues. Demonstrating that commonly eaten produce carries pesticide levels exceeding safe limits highlights serious risks of chronic illness and cancer for local consumers, emphasising the urgent need for enforced food safety measures.
The abstract does not indicate an application pathway, as it focuses on an observational contamination assessment rather than developing commercial products or services.
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BACKGROUND: Fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis) and amaranth (Amaranthus spp.) are common leafy vegetables produced and consumed in southwestern Nigeria. These vegetables attract insect pests which are controlled by pesticides that may have adverse impacts on human health. OBJECTIVES: To determine the levels of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) pesticide residues in the two vegetables and evaluate the potential health risks associated with their consumption. METHODS: The pesticide residue levels were quantitatively and qualitatively determined using a gas chromatograph coupled with electron capture detector. Health risk assessment were performed using estimated average daily intake and hazard indices for two weight categories: children (16.7 kg) and adults (60 kg). RESULTS: -HCH had a hazard index >1 for adults for amaranth. This means the residue exceeds acceptable standard and present potential risk to consumers of these vegetables. CONCLUSIONS: -HCH could pose a carcinogenic risk for adult consumers. The consumption of the two vegetables could pose both non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks to children and adults. Therefore, there is need for strict enforcement of regulations on pesticide usage to minimize human health risks. COMPETING INTERESTS: The authors declare no competing financial interests.
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DOI: 10.5696/2156-9614-9.23.190909
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