Pesticide residues in selected vegetables from Gombe markets, Gombe State, Nigeria: assessing the health impact

Abstract

The study determined the content of pesticide residues in vegetables (cabbage, lettuce, calyces, and tiger nut), obtained from markets in Gombe, Nigeria. Health risk parameters were also determined to evaluate the health risk associated with their consumption. A total of 72 samples (cabbage, lettuce, calyces and tiger nut) were analyzed using high performance liquid chromatography with UV/VIS Detector (HPLC-UV/VIS). A total of 18 pesticide residues were detected: nine organochlorines (OCs), five organophosphates (OPs), and  four pyrethroids (PYs). The residual contents of nine OCs ranged from 0.00 to 0.098 μg/kg and found in 61.87%, 60.99%, 63.69%, and 63.89% of cabbage, lettuce, calyces and tiger nut samples respectively, five OPs with concentrations ranging from 0.00 to 0.043 μg/kg were found in 22.69%, 21.89%, 19.49% and 22.21% of cabbage, lettuce, calyces and tiger nut samples respectively. In similar order, four PYs with concentrations that ranged from 0.00 to 0.046 μg/kg were found in 15.44%, 17.04%, 16.82% and 13.89% of the vegetables. Themean estimated daily intake of pesticides in the studied samples was lower than that of acceptable daily intakes. The hazard index obtained was less than one, indicating no probable adverse health effect on both children and adult consumers. However, monitoring and continuous stringent regulation should be imposed with regard to the usage of pesticides in vegetables, and other food stuff for public health protection. Keywords: Hazard Index, Health risk, Nut, Pesticide residues, Vegetables