Introduction: Fresh vegetables are an important source of vital nutrients. Poor farming practices and improper washing put consumers at risk of parasitic infections. This study explored the presence of parasitic contamination of commonly-consumed vegetables procured from two markets in Ghana. It also explored the decontamination effects of washing vegetables with different concentrations of saline solution. Method: Vegetables were procured from two major open markets in Koforidua, Ghana. Vegetables were thoroughly washed twice using 0.0%, 0.45%, 0.9%, 1.5% concentrations of saline solutions. The deposits were examined under the light microscope for the presence of parasites. Smears were made from sediments, stained and observed with Fluorescence microscope to detect any spores or oocysts of Microsporidium sp., and Cryptosporidium sp. Result: Three hundred and sixty of five types of vegetables were procured. Two hundred and seven (57.5%, 95% Confidence Interval 52.2%-62.7%) were found to be contaminated with at least one type of parasite. The extent of vegetable contamination was 97.2% (90.3-99.7) of spring onions, 70.8% (58.9-81.0) of lettuce and 50.0% (38.0-62.0) of tomatoes. The commonest parasites were Strongyloides stercoralis (36.4%, 31.4-41.6), Balantidium coli (13.6%, 10.2-17.6) and Cryptosporidium oocyst (11.1%, 8.1-14.8). Parasite recovering rates were 57.5% (52.2-62.7) and 42.2% (37.1-47.5) after first and second washings respectively. Conclusion: The level of parasite contamination is high and consumption of raw vegetables procured from these markets carry a high risk of parasite infection. Washing vegetables twice with saline was not effective for parasite removal. Improved approaches for washing vegetables before consumption are needed.

Radiation and radioactive isotopes form part of our natural environment. Elevated levels of these radioactive isotopes in the environment can pose a threat to our health. A greater proportion of the natural radiation is from the radioactive gas radon. Although it cannot be detected by human senses, radon and its progenies are of health concern as it can cause lung cancer when inhaled over a period of time. This study sought to provide baseline indoor radon data, the life time risk of lung cancer and its interpretation within a suburb of Ghana. Solid State Nuclear Track Detector (LR-115 type II) was deployed in 82 homes within a suburb for a period of three months (September 2017-January 2018). Indoor radon concentration (IRC) for the suburb was within the range of 4.1-176.3 Bq m −3 . With mean 57±39 Bq m −3 . The mean radon exposure to the dwellers was recorded as 0.12±0.08 WLMy −1 resulting in 0.7±0.5 mSvy −1 effective dose to the lung with an excess lifetime cancer risk of 0.39±0.26%. There was a positive correlation between indoor radon concentration and the building type and the association was significant with a P value of 0.047.

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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).