Organochlorine Pesticide Residue Levels in Kola Nuts (Cola nitida Schott & Endl.) and Estimation of Risk Exposition in Côte d’Ivoire

Background: The kola nut represents a significant economic interest for Côte d’Ivoire as well as many households and public authorities. Despite its obvious importance, the kola nut sector is facing a delicate sanitary quality of the marketed product. About 90% of produced kolanut is consumed daily fresh by people and poses a serious organochlorine pesticide toxicity health problem for consumers. Aims: This study aimed to determine the organochlorine pesticide residue levels in kola nuts and assess the risks of kola nuts consumption on population health in Côte d'Ivoire. Study Design: Samples were collected from Farmers, rural Collectors, urban Stores in Districts (Mountains, Comoe, Lagoons, Down-Sassandra) and big storage Centers of Anyama and Bouake for three separate periods of kola nuts harvesting (2016-2017 ; 2017-2018 and 2018-2019). Methodology: Concentrations of 24 organochlorine pesticide (OCPs) residues were measured using a gas chromatograph equipped with an electron capture detector. Results: The OCPs concentrations ranging from 5.19 to 92.93 µg/kg for Aldrin and Lindane. The results indicate that Methoxychlor, DDE (op'), Endrin ketone, Hexachlorobenzene, Chlorfenapyr, Chlorthal dimethyl and Quitozene concentrations are below the quantification limit (LOQ). Based on the concentrations and the daily consumption of kola nuts estimated at 0.6 g/person in Côte d'Ivoire, the intakes values estimated of OCPs vary from 5.4.10-5 to 7.96.10-4 µg/kg/day for Aldrin and Lindane, respectively. The Exposure Daily Doses (EDD) are all lower than the toxicological reference values. Thus, the occurrence of a toxic effect from OCPs after kola nuts consumption is very unlikely since the hazard quotient HQ sum is less than 1 (∑HQ = 0.13 < 1). Consumption of kola nuts from Côte d’Ivoire does not pose a health risk to consumers. Conclusion: Kola nuts would not represent a health risk for humans and would be safe for comsumption.

Organochlorine pesticide residues and other toxic substances in salted Tenualosa ilisha L.: Northeastern part of India

Introduction. Fish can sometimes be contaminated with several highly toxic substances at once, e.g. heavy metals, pesticides, and preservatives. In this regard, it is essential to determine the presence of these harmful chemicals in fish products. The research objective was to analyze the level of organochlorine pesticide residues and other toxic substances in Tenualosa ilisha L. Study objects and methods. The study featured organochlorine pesticide residues and other toxic substances in raw and cooked samples of fresh and salted T. ilisha, which is a popular dish in Northeast India, especially in the state of Tripura. The analysis involved tests for formaldehyde, pesticides, and heavy metals. Formaldehyde content was estimated using high-performance liquid chromatography, pesticides content – by low-pressure gas chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry, and heavy metals – by inductively coupled plasma/mass spectrometry. Results and discussion. The salted samples had a high content of formaldehyde, though it remained within the normal range. Both fresh and salted samples demonstrated high concentrations of heavy metals such as zinc, copper, and selenium. The salted sample appeared to have a high content of toxic organochlorine pesticide residues. Frying and boiling of fresh and salted fish decreased formaldehyde and organochlorine pesticide residue contents but did not reduce heavy metal content. Conclusion. T. ilisha was found to be quite safe for human health.

Organochlorine Pesticide Residue Levels in Parts of Watermelon Grown in the Ada-West District of Greater Accra Region, Ghana and Its Related Human Health Risks

The study involved the use of soxhlet apparatus and CP-3800 Gas Chromatograph equipped with a 63Ni electron capture detector to investigate the presence and levels of organochlorine pesticide (OCP) residues in sampled parts of watermelon. The study revealed the presence of fifteen OCPs residues in the peel, pulp and seeds of watermelon from the selected communities in the Ada-West District of the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. Most of the OCP residues investigated were below the limit of detection of 0.01 µg/kg. Detectable OCP residues whose concentrations were above detection limit were dieldrin and p, p’-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethene (p,p'–DDE). The seeds of watermelon from Koluedor recorded the highest level of 2.10 µg/kg of p’p-DDE while the lowest level of 0.20 µg/kg of dieldrin and p’p-DDE were recorded in the peel of watermelon from Sege. The mean levels of the detected pesticide residues in peel, pulp and seeds of watermelon were also below maximum residue limits (MRLs) set by European Union (EU). Estimated daily intake (EDI) of organochlorine pesticide residues as a result of consumption of the studied watermelon for children ranged from 0.001 µg/kg to 0.006 µg/kg and those for adults were from 0.0005 µg/kg to 0.003 µg/kg. EDIs values obtained were however, far below reference doses (RFDs) recommended by United State Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA).

Effect of water treatment process on organochlorine pesticide residue levels in Ahvaz water treatment plant 2

One of the main hazards of human life and health is the presence of pesticides in the aquatic system is. The Karun River is the surface water source in the preparation of drinking water for the city of Ahvaz city at the Ahvaz Water Treatment Plant (AWTP) #2. This study was done in order to investigate the statue of qualification and the quantification of the contamination of water entering into (AWTP #2) by selected organochlorine pesticides [(α, β, γ, δ )HCH, heptachlor, alderin, dielderin, (op’ , pp’ ) DDT, (α, β) endosulfan and metoxychlor], plus the water treatment effects on these pesticide residues removal. For this purpose, one composite sample from each of the water treatment process steps was taken monthly which was comprised of 20 grab samples in 2008. Water samples were acidified to pH &lt; 2, extracted three times with n-hexane, and concentrated using a rotary vacuum evaporator for Florisil column chromatography cleanup and fractioned by elution with three different solvent mixtures of petroleum and diethyl ether. Finally, the elutes were concentrated to dryness using rotary vacuum evaporator and then the residues were dissolved in hexane and analyzed by GC- μECD. All 12 investigated organochlorine pesticides were detected. Results of this study indicated that concentration of investigated pesticides decreased (according to the kind of pesticide) by 20% to 80% and the mean of total concentration was reduced by 49% during water treatment process steps. There was a significant positive correlation (r=97.75%) between variation in the concentration of poisons and the total organic matter (KMnO4 value).