DIETARY RISK ASSESSMENT OF ORGANOPHOSPHATE AND ORGANOCHLORINE PESTICIDE RESIDUES IN GRAINS COMMONLY CONSUMED IN GOMBE STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Pesticides are chemical substances that are applied, mainly for agricultural purposes to enhance yield, but form residues that results in health concerns. The pesticides residues (organophosphate, glyphosate and organochlorine) being non-target specific have been traced to humans and animals causing acute and chronic diseases and even death. Samples were taken from Akko, Gombe and Yamaltu-Deba Local Government Areas of Gombe State. Composite samples of the beans, maize, millet, rice and sorghum were collected, purified, homogenized
and subjected to residues extractions using the QuEChERS method and gas chromatography/mass spectrophotometric (GC-MS) techniques for their quantification. The cleanup process had average recovery and standard error ranging between 82.53±0.32% and 95.22±1.66% respectively. The limit of detection (LOD) was 0.0006mg/kg. The coefficient of determination (r 2 ) was 0.9854. The concentrations of the residues are in the order Gombe > Akko > Yamaltu-Deba. The organochlorine residues in the grains followed similar pattern. Organophosphate and  glyphosate residues were in the order; Gombe > Yamaltu-Deba >Akko. Majority of the residues exceeded the WHO Maximum Residual Limits (MRLs) and the Acceptable Daily Intakes (ADIs). Conversely, the glyphosate residues were all below the
respective international standards. The health indices determined revealed a variegated
pattern with Gombe LGA ranking highest among the residues 6 out of 15 pesticides exhibiting
Health Index (HI) values > 100% indicative of high health risk. However, the majority of the
pesticides residues had HI values revealing that the exposed population were safe. Regular
evaluation, and farmers and users` adherence to users` manual are recommended.