Monitoring of Pesticide Residues in Human Milk, Soil, Water, and Food Samples Collectedfrom Kafr El-Zayat Governorate

Abstract

Pesticide residues in human milk and environmental samples from Kafr El-Zayat Governorate in Egypt were analyzed. This governorate is located near one of the biggest pesticide factories in Egypt. Organochlorine and organophosphorus pesticides were monitored, including those that have been prohibited from use in Egypt. Human milk samples (31 samples) from Kafr El-Zayat were compared with 11 samples collected from Cairo. Data were compared with results from studies performed in 1987 and 1990. The present study showed that aldrin and dieldrin, heptachlor and heptachlor epoxide, and endrin residues have been eliminated from human milk. Estimated daily intakes (EDIs) of DDT complex and γ-HCH by breast fed infants in Kafr El-Zayat were 85.96 and 3.1% of the respective acceptable daily intakes (ADIs). β- HCH residues showed an increasing pattern, especially in human milk samples from Cairo. DDT complex and HCH isomers in orange, spinach, lettuce, potatoes, and clover samples ranged from undetectable to very low concentrations. Higher levels of DDT and HCH were detected, but aldrin, dieldrin, endrin, and the heptachlors were not detected in food of animal origin. Residues in fish samples were below maximum residue limits established by some developed countries. Those in animal milk samples approached the extraneous residue limits of the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues. HCH residues in soil were negligible, but DDT resi dues in soil were some what higher. Among watersamples, groundwater samples had the highest residues of HCHs and DDTs, followed by Nile River water and then tap water. However, the organo chlorine pesticide residues were found at concen trations below the maximum allowable limits set by the World Health Organization for drinking water. Among 12 organophosphorus pesticides moni toredas parent compounds, dimethoate,malathion, methamidophos, and chlorpyrifos residues were detected in low concentrations in soil samples from a pesticide factory. No organophosphorus pesticide residues were found in plant samples, except for very low residues of dimethoatein anorange sample. Water samples were devoid of organophosphorus residues as parent compounds.

Cytotoxic effects of persistent organic pollutants on the freshwater snail (Lanistes carinatus) in Kafr El-Zayat, Egypt

“…This fact explains the role of physicochemical properties of either diazinon or chlorpyrifos in their persistent in tissues or organic matter of sediment depending on heterocyclic contains (pyridine rings). Compounds detected in surface water were consistent with the fact that pesticides and fertilizers are the main products of the Kafr El-Zayat Company, and consistent with results of previous studies (Dogheim et al 1996; IPEN 2006; Abdel-Halim et al 2013; Abdel-Halim 2014). Those studies documented that organochlorine, organophosphorus, pyrethroid pesticides, PCBs, PAHs, and heavy metals were detected as by-products of industrial and urbanized activities in the Kafr El-Zayat region.…”

Bioaccumulation of organochlorine pesticides in the trophic chain alga-freshwater fish

“…In rice grains, lindane content was considerably higher (20.2 and 37.5 mg·kg-1 ) (Mostafa 1987). DDT and lindane reached a slightly higher level compared to other or ganochlorine pesticides in such crops as spinach, potatoes, oranges, salad, and clover (Dogheim et al 1996). The study of the effect of DDT on the amino acid composition of cyanobacteria and green algae revealed that this pesticide affected the quality and quantity of the amino acid composition in the concentration-dependent manner (Czeczuga and Gierasimow 1977).…”

Human health risks associated with residual pesticide levels in edible tissues of slaughtered cattle in Benin City, Southern Nigeria

“…β-HCH is the most stable HCH isomer, it has slow elimination rate and thus has the tendency to accumulate in animal tissues over time as compared to other isomers [76] , [25] . Concentrations observed in this study were however the lowest amongst the assessed HCH isomers.…”