Assessment of Pesticide Residues in Soils and Crops Grown in the Asante-Akyem Central Municipality of the Ashanti Region of Ghana and their Associated Health Risks.

Abstract

Pesticides applications on crops production have contributed immensely to crops’ yield. Nevertheless, their applications on vegetables could have adverse effects on the health satus of consumers. This study was therefore intended to determine pesticide residues in soils and crops (cocoyam tubers and leaves, cassava and maize) and their associated health risks. The crops were analysed for organochlorine (OC), organophosphate (OP) and carbamate (CM) pesticides. Pesticides residues were extracted using Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe (QuEChERS) mini multi-residue procedure and their levels analysed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) equipped with 1.0 mL/min flow detector. OCPs levels in crops ranged from 0.001 to 0.086 mg/kg, OPPs levels in soils ranged from 0.004 to 7.446 mg/kg whilst that of carbamates ranged from 0.040 to 0.192 mg/kg. Concentrations of Chlordane, Diedrin, Endosulfan, Endrin and Heptachlor (OCs), carbamates (Carbofuran and Carbaryl) and OPPs except Profenofos in the crops were above the maximum residual limits (MRLs) recommended by United State Environmental Protection Agency and European Union. These high levels of pesticides residues in the crops could affect the health status of consumers. Positive and negative correlations existed between moisture contents, exchangeable cations, pH, organic matter, sand, silt and clay contents of the soils and some pesticides levels in the crops. These imply that soil properties influenced distributions of pesticides levels in the crops. Even though, computed Hazard Indexes (HIs) and Hazard Quotients (HQs) of pesticide residues were below 1, continuous consumption of the crops could cause certain health risks in consumers due to bioaccumulation in tissues. I recommend that agriculture extension officers should educate farmers on proper handling and how to use approved pesticides in the right proportions during application on crops.