Abstract
The residues of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (DDTs) and hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs) in forty-eight (48) composite fruit and vegetable samples (carrot, cucumber, tomato, and watermelon) were qualitatively and quantitatively determined using gas chromatography equipped with electron capture detector (GC-ECD). Safety indices such as the estimated average daily intake (EADI), cancer benchmark concentration (CBC), hazard quotient (HQ) and index (HI), and hazard ratio (HR) were also estimated. Results showed the predominance of HCH and its isomers in the fruits and vegetables as compared with the DDTs. The most predominant HCHs in all the fruits was α-HCH with mean concentrations of 2.704 ± 2.488 mg kg−1 (carrot), 1.536 ± 1.036 mg kg−1 (cucumber), 6.814 ± 2.967 mg kg−1 (tomato), and 9.241 ± 2.735 mg kg−1 (watermelon). The analysis showed that the levels of pesticide residues detected in 25 to 100% of the fruit and vegetable samples were above the UK/European Commission Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs). The non-carcinogenic health risk estimates showed that only α-HCH in tomatoes and watermelon had HQ > 1 which indicates the possibility of systemic health risk in children consumers. The carcinogenic health risk showed that only α-HCH and γ-HCH in children and α-HCH in adults had HR > 1 for tomato and watermelon which implies the possibility of carcinogenic health risk from its consumption. It is therefore paramount to institute a policy and regulatory framework for regular monitoring of pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables in Nigeria in order to ensure food safety for consumers and protect human health.
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Acknowledgements
The technical assistance by Mrs Olaoluwa Ruth Ojo of the Department of Chemistry, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria, is immensely acknowledged.
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GOO designed the study, performed the experiment, performed the statistical analysis, and wrote the first draft of the manuscript. MBS conceptualised and supervised the study and appraised the data quality. JAOO reviewed the study and assisted in extraction protocols of pesticide residues from the samples. AOA managed literature searches and assisted in data analysis and interpretations. All authors read and approved the final manuscript
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Odewale, G.O., Sosan, M.B., Oyekunle, J.A.O. et al. Human health risk assessment of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables in Nigeria. Environ Sci Pollut Res 28, 33133–33145 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-12747-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-12747-7