Food assessment for pesticide's contamination in Chugchilán parish crops in Cotopaxi (Ecuador)

Abstract

The objective of this study is to evaluate the contamination by pesticides in food grown in the parish of Chugchilán. From 258 families that were part of the main project, a sub‐sample of 26 families was obtained and, for each of them, a sample of food was extracted and evaluated by chromatographic methods. The main pesticides found in the locality are from the group of organophosphates, carbamates, dithiocarbamates, and glyphosate. Contamination by organophosphates, carbamates, and dithiocarbamates is well below the maximum residue limits while glyphosate is found in most foods exceeding the maximum residue limit, mainly in radish with 8.36 mg/kg being the limit of .1 mg/kg. There is evidence of contamination in food by pesticides, however, the values obtained are below the maximum residue limits with the exception of glyphosate. Organochlorines usage was not detected in any sample.Practical applicationsThis study may be of interest to the scientific community as it learns about the impact of pesticides on population food security, mainly vulnerable. Similarly, it can be a contribution to the agricultural community interested in eliminating pesticides from their production by implementing new cultivation techniques that are friendly to the environment and consumers health. It benefits the population of Chugchilán, since the information about the crops in the area allowing them to take actions and strategies that improve food quality and its population health.