Health risk assessment of organochlorine pesticide exposure through dietary intake of vegetables grown in the periurban sites of Delhi, India

Abstract

The study investigated the levels of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in different types of vegetables grown in periurban area of National Capital Region (NCR), India. Vegetable sampling was carried out in winter and summer season of 2012. A total of 20 different OCPs were determined using gas chromatography (GC) assembled with electron capture detector (ECD). Obtained results showed that average levels of ∑(20)OCP ranged from 83.8 ± 25.5 ng g(-1) in smooth gourd to 222.4 ± 90.0 ng g(-1) in cauliflower. The mean concentrations of different OCPs were observed in order of ∑HCH > ∑CHLs > drins > ∑endosulfan > ∑DDT in all vegetables except in brinjal and smooth gourd. Most of the OCP residues recorded in vegetable samples exceeded the maximum residue levels (MRLs) set by international and national regulatory agencies. Health risk assessment suggests that daily dietary OCP exposure via vegetable consumption was higher for children (mean value 4.25E-05) than adults (mean value 2.19E-05). The hazard quotient (HQ) and lifetime cancer risk (LCR) estimated from dietary exposure of these vegetables were above the acceptable limit and can be considered as a serious concern for Delhi population.

Chemical Pesticides and Human Health: The Urgent Need for a New Concept in Agriculture

“…Furthermore, it should be noted that washing and peeling cannot completely remove the residues ( 40 ). In the majority of cases, the concentrations do not exceed the legislatively determined safe levels ( 36 , 39 , 41 , 42 ). However, these “safe limits” may underestimate the real health risk as in the case of simultaneous exposure to two or more chemical substances, which occurs in real-life conditions and may have synergistic effects ( 1 , 43 ).…”

“…The general class of organochlorine pesticides has been associated with health effects, such as endocrine disorders ( 10 , 52 ), effects on embryonic development ( 53 ), lipid metabolism ( 54 ), and hematological and hepatic alterations ( 55 ). Their carcinogenic potential is questioned, but concerns about possible carcinogenic action should not be underestimated ( 38 , 39 , 56 , 57 ).…”

“…Residues of pesticides can be found in a great variety of everyday foods and beverages, including for instance cooked meals, water, wine, fruit juices, refreshments, and animal feeds ( 32 – 39 ). Furthermore, it should be noted that washing and peeling cannot completely remove the residues ( 40 ).…”

Lufenuron induces reproductive toxicity and genotoxic effects in pregnant albino rats and their fetuses

“…fetuses revealed several skeletal ossification delay and abnormalities in the groups exposed to different lufenuron concentrations during the organogenesis gestational period (Table 3,Figs. 3,4,5,6,7).…”

A smart precision plant protection technique based upon information and communication technologies for field crops in India for wide-area implementation

“…Indiscriminate application of agrochemical lead to widespread its toxic residues in the environment, causing significant contamination of terrestrial ecosystems and poisoning human foods (Carson, 1962). It also lead to the problems of pest resistance, environmental pollution and harmful effects on beneficial biotic fauna along with high cost of inputs (Goulson, 2014;Pimentel et al, 2014Chourasiya et al, 2015and Pirsaheb et al, 2015). Therefore, there is an urgent need of innovative ideas and techniques to tackle the indiscriminate applications of chemical pesticides on agroecosystems.…”