scholarly journals Food safety in Thailand 4: comparison of pesticide residues found in three commonly consumed vegetables purchased from local markets and supermarkets in Thailand

PeerJ ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. e2432 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sompon Wanwimolruk ◽  
Kamonrat Phopin ◽  
Somchai Boonpangrak ◽  
Virapong Prachayasittikul

BackgroundThe wide use of pesticides raises concerns on the health risks associated with pesticide exposure. For developing countries, like Thailand, pesticide monitoring program (in vegetables and fruits) and also the maximum residue limits (MRL) regulation have not been entirely implemented. The MRL is a product limit, not a safety limit. The MRL is the maximum concentration of a pesticide residue (expressed as mg/kg) recommended by the Codex Alimentarius Commission to be legally permitted in or on food commodities and animal feeds (Codex Alimentarius Commission, 2015; European Commission, 2015). MRLs are based on supervised residue trial data where the pesticide has been applied in accordance with GAP (Good Agricultural Practice). This study aims at providing comparison data on pesticide residues found in three commonly consumed vegetables (Chinese kale, pakchoi and morning glory) purchased from some local markets and supermarkets in Thailand.MethodsThese vegetables were randomly bought from local markets and supermarkets. Then they were analyzed for the content of 28 pesticides by using GC-MS/MS.ResultsTypes of pesticides detected in the samples either from local markets or supermarkets were similar. The incidence of detected pesticides was 100% (local markets) and 99% (supermarkets) for the Chinese kale; 98% (local markets) and 100% (supermarkets) for the pakchoi; and 99% (local markets) and 97% (supermarkets) for the morning glory samples. The pesticides were detected exceeding their MRL at a rate of 48% (local markets) and 35% (supermarkets) for the Chinese kale; 71% (local markets) and 55% (supermarkets) for the pakchoi, and 42% (local markets) and 49% (supermarkets) for the morning glory.DiscussionThese rates are much higher than those seen in developed countries. It should be noted that these findings were assessed on basis of using criteria (such as MRL) obtained from developed countries. Our findings were also confined to these vegetables sold in a few central provinces of Thailand and did not reflect for the whole country as sample sizes were small. Risk assessment due to consuming these pesticide contaminated vegetables, still remains to be evaluated. However, remarkably high incidence rates of detected pesticides give warning to the Thai authorities to implement proper regulations on pesticide monitoring program. Similar incidence of pesticide contamination found in the vegetables bought from local markets and supermarkets raises question regarding the quality of organic vegetables domestically sold in Thailand. This conclusion excludes Thai export quality vegetables and fruits routinely monitored for pesticide contamination before exporting.

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sompon Wanwimolruk ◽  
Kamonrat Phopin ◽  
Somchai Boonpangrak ◽  
Virapong Prachayasittikul

Background The wide use of pesticides raises concerns on the health risks associated with pesticide exposure. For developing countries, pesticide residues in vegetables and fruits have not been totally monitored. This study aims at providing comparison data on pesticide residues found in three commonly consumed vegetables (Chinese kale, pakchoi and morning glory) purchased from some local markets and supermarkets in Thailand. Methods These vegetables were randomly bought from local markets and supermarkets. Then they were analyzed for the content of 28 pesticides by using GC-MS/MS. Results Types of pesticides detected in the samples either from local markets or supermarkets were similar. The incidence of detected pesticides was 100% (local markets) and 99% (supermarkets) for the Chinese kale; 98% (local markets) and 100% (supermarkets) for the pakchoi; and 99% (local markets) and 97% (supermarkets) for the morning glory samples. The pesticides were detected exceeding their MRL at a rate of 48% (local markets) and 35% (supermarkets) for the Chinese kale; 71% (local markets) and 55% (supermarkets) for the pakchoi, and 42% (local markets) and 49% (supermarkets) for the morning glory. Discussion These rates are much higher than those seen in developed countries. It should be noted that these findings were assessed on basis of using criteria (such as MRL) obtained from developed countries. Our findings were also confined to these vegetables sold in a few central provinces of Thailand and did not reflect for the whole country as sample sizes were small. Risk assessment due to consuming these pesticide contaminated vegetables, still remains to be evaluated. It is unlikely that this will affect the health of tourists visiting Thailand because they do not consume these vegetables daily and in large amount. However, remarkably high incidence rates of detected pesticides give warning to the Thai authorities to implement proper regulations on pesticide monitoring programme. Similar incidence of pesticide contamination found in the vegetables bought from local markets and supermarkets raises question regarding the quality of organic vegetables domestically sold in Thailand. This conclusion excludes Thai export quality vegetables and fruits routinely monitored for pesticide contamination before exporting.


2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sompon Wanwimolruk ◽  
Kamonrat Phopin ◽  
Somchai Boonpangrak ◽  
Virapong Prachayasittikul

Background The wide use of pesticides raises concerns on the health risks associated with pesticide exposure. For developing countries, pesticide residues in vegetables and fruits have not been totally monitored. This study aims at providing comparison data on pesticide residues found in three commonly consumed vegetables (Chinese kale, pakchoi and morning glory) purchased from some local markets and supermarkets in Thailand. Methods These vegetables were randomly bought from local markets and supermarkets. Then they were analyzed for the content of 28 pesticides by using GC-MS/MS. Results Types of pesticides detected in the samples either from local markets or supermarkets were similar. The incidence of detected pesticides was 100% (local markets) and 99% (supermarkets) for the Chinese kale; 98% (local markets) and 100% (supermarkets) for the pakchoi; and 99% (local markets) and 97% (supermarkets) for the morning glory samples. The pesticides were detected exceeding their MRL at a rate of 48% (local markets) and 35% (supermarkets) for the Chinese kale; 71% (local markets) and 55% (supermarkets) for the pakchoi, and 42% (local markets) and 49% (supermarkets) for the morning glory. Discussion These rates are much higher than those seen in developed countries. It should be noted that these findings were assessed on basis of using criteria (such as MRL) obtained from developed countries. Our findings were also confined to these vegetables sold in a few central provinces of Thailand and did not reflect for the whole country as sample sizes were small. Risk assessment due to consuming these pesticide contaminated vegetables, still remains to be evaluated. It is unlikely that this will affect the health of tourists visiting Thailand because they do not consume these vegetables daily and in large amount. However, remarkably high incidence rates of detected pesticides give warning to the Thai authorities to implement proper regulations on pesticide monitoring programme. Similar incidence of pesticide contamination found in the vegetables bought from local markets and supermarkets raises question regarding the quality of organic vegetables domestically sold in Thailand. This conclusion excludes Thai export quality vegetables and fruits routinely monitored for pesticide contamination before exporting.


1994 ◽  
Vol 30 (10) ◽  
pp. 113-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Guzzella ◽  
M. Mingazzini

A biological monitoring program (1992-93) was undertaken with the aim of testing the toxic effect of the Lambro, one of the most polluted rivers in Northern Italy. The filtered river samples were tested with S. capricornutum in a 96h exposure growth inhibition assay and with a photobacterial inhibition assay with the LUMISTox System. The unfiltered samples were also tested with LUMISTox, in order to evaluate the role played by the suspended and colloidal material in the water toxicity. The river samples were passed through a series of columns filled with Carbopack B, XAD-2 and C-18 respectively to concentrate organic compound for chemical analysis and enriched with EDTA to complex metals. The Carbopack B procedure proved to be the most efficient among the tested extraction techniques. The de-toxificant effect of the sample treatments was evaluated in terms of percentage increase of the cell density by the algal assay, while the toxicity of the extracted organic compounds was evaluated by LUMISTox System. The comparison of algal assay with chemical analysis results pointed out that the toxicity of the Lambro waters was mainly related to pesticide contamination.


Author(s):  
Noora M. Al-Shamary ◽  
Mohammad A. Al-Ghouti ◽  
Ismail Al-Shaikh ◽  
Saeed H. Al-Meer ◽  
Talaat A. Ahmad

2008 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 321-324 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gilberto C de Baptista ◽  
Luiz Roberto P Trevizan ◽  
André A Franco ◽  
Renato A da Silva

Pesticide residues, especially in vegetables and fruits, are a reason for concern with respect to the health of consumers and workers that need to return to areas that have been treated with these agrochemicals. The objectives of this experiment were to (a) study the behavior of deltamethrin residues from different formulations on cucumber fruits; and (b) correlate insecticide contents in the fruits with pickleworm control. Treatments were as follows: (a) control; (b) three 30 mL applications of deltamethrin 25 EC 100 L-1 water (emulsifiable concentrate formulation); (c) three 7.5 mL applications of deltamethrin 100 EC 100 L-1 water (emulsifiable concentrate); and (d) three 3.75 mL applications of deltamethrin 200 CS 100 L-1 water (concentrate suspension). Samples were taken at (-1), zero, 1; 3; 5; 7, and 14 days after the last application. Residues were determined by the gas chromatography technique, using an electron capture detector. In order to evaluate insecticide effectiveness, six infestation surveys were conducted during the same sampling times. Although at low levels, the deltamethrin residues in the fruits were above the maximum residue level (MRL = 0.03 mg kg-1), even one day after the end of the safety interval (2 days), and were higher for the CS formulation. The insecticide was effective to control the pest during the entire evaluation period.


2005 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
pp. 163-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. B. Gebara ◽  
C. H. P. Ciscato ◽  
M. da S. Ferreira ◽  
S. H. Monteiro

2007 ◽  
Vol 42 (7) ◽  
pp. 835-841 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stavroula Tasiopoulou ◽  
Alessandro M. Chiodini ◽  
Francesca Vellere ◽  
Sara Visentin

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (10) ◽  
pp. 976-986 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ernesto de Titto ◽  
Atilio Savino

The article presents a mini review of the published research focused on understanding environmental and human health impacts nearby waste incineration plants. We found no studies indicating that modern-technology waste incineration plants, which comply with the legislation on emissions, are a cancer risk factor or have adverse effects on reproduction or development. There are several factors in favor of this affirmation: (a) the emission levels of the plants currently built in the developed countries are several orders of magnitude lower than those of the plants in whose environments epidemiological studies have been carried out and which have found some kind of negative association in terms of health; (b) risk assessment studies indicate that most of the exposure is produced through the diet and not by a direct route; and (c) monitoring dioxin level studies in the population resident in the environment of incineration plants did not reveal increases of these levels when compared with a population living in reference areas. A necessary condition for the development of a waste incineration plant is to generate the conditions to prevent any impact that activates or potentially carries damage or risks to the environment and, in particular, to health. This makes it imperative to use a preventive strategy through the implementation of a previous environmental impact assessment and the establishment of emissions standards and an emissions monitoring program in order to ensure the prevention of environmental damage.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document