Monitoring of Pesticidal Contamination of Farmgate Vegetables from Hisar

Abstract

Analysis of 84 farm gate samples of seasonal vegetables carried out on GC-ECD and GC-NPD systems equipped with capillary columns by using a multi residue analytical technique revealed that 26% samples contained residues above MRL values. The contamination was mainly with organophosphates followed by synthetic pyrethroids and organochlorines. Among organophosphates, residues of monocrotophos, quinalphos and chlorpyriphos exceeded the MRL value in 23% samples. Residues of monocrotophos were higher than MRL value in 3 samples of brinjal and one sample each of okra, cauliflower and smooth gourd, of chlorpyriphos in 3 samples of cauliflower and 8 of cabbage and of quinalphos in one sample each of okra and cauliflower. Among synthetic pyrethroids, cypermethrin was the major contaminant and its residue exceeded the MRL value in one sample each of brinjal, okra and cucumber. Only aldicarb among the carbamates was detected in potato. The residues of some organochlorines, i.e. HCH, DDT and endosulfan were found in all the samples but did not exceed the tolerence limit.

Organochlorine insecticides (DDT and heptachlor) in dry fish: traditional washing and cooking effect on dietary intake

“…Contamination of vegetables with pesticide residues has been reported by several researchers (Madan et al, 1996;Kumari et al, 2002Kumari et al, , 2003 and washing was found effective in dislodging the residues as it depends on a number of factors like location of residues, age of residues, water solubility and temperature and type of washing. In earlier studies also, effects of these factors were observed in different vegetables by various researchers Lal, 1982a, 1982b;Dikshit et al, 1986;Geisman, 1975;Gunther et al, 1963).…”

Chronic Exposures to Cholinesterase‐inhibiting Pesticides Adversely Affect Respiratory Health of Agricultural Workers in India

“…Likewise, a greater risk of developing asthmatic symptoms and low respiratory volumes has been reported in farmers chronically exposed to pesticides 8) . Currently, India is the largest producer of pesticides in Asia and the third largest consumer of pesticides in the world 9) . A vast majority of the one billion-plus population in India is engaged in agriculture as cultivators, farm owners and laborers.…”

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for Reducing Pesticide Residues in Crops and Natural Resources

“…Most of the studies on pesticides conducted in Asia reflect the presence of pesticide residues in significant amounts in food and agricultural commodities, and pesticide pollution does exist in the country; and is a cause of concern for public health (Kumari et al 2002(Kumari et al , 2003(Kumari et al , 2004(Kumari et al , 2005(Kumari et al , 2006. Pesticides applied to the soil or that eventually end in the soil in agricultural areas can contribute to the contamination of surface and ground waters (Gilliom et al 2006;McMahon et al 2006).…”