Levels and safety assessment of pesticide residues in selected vegetables and fruits sold in Ikorodu, Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

Pesticides are widely used to boost agricultural output, thus making food consumption a major route of human pesticide exposure. This study was aimed at determining the safety of pesticide residues in vegetables and fruits sold in Ikorodu Markets, Lagos, Nigeria. The vegetables analyzed were lettuce (Lactuca sativa), spinach (Spinacia oleracea), cabbage (Brassica oleracea), cucumber (Cucumis sativus), and onion (Allium cepa), while the fruits were orange (Citrus aurantium), mango (Mangifera indica), and guava (Psidium guajava). Samples of the vegetables and fruits were subjected to mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis, and the values obtained were compared with the minimum risk levels (MRLs) recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). Thereafter, the estimated daily intake (EDI) and health risk index (HRI) of the detected pesticide residues were calculated and compared with the acceptable daily intake. The GC-MS analysis of the vegetables detected chlorepyrifos-ethyl beyond the MRLs in lettuce, spinach, and cucumber; metalaxyl exceeded the MRLs in cabbage; while cyhalothrin, emamectin, acetaprid, carbendazime, and cypermethrin were detected within the MRLs. The analyses of the fruits revealed non- tolerable levels of chlorepyrifos-ethyl in orange; imidacloprid exceeded the MRLs in mango; and carbon disulfide was above the MRLs in guava. The EDI and HRI of the pesticides were within acceptable limits, but the HRI of cyhalothrin in lettuce and carbon disulfide in mango were not. The results suggest that the vegetables and fruits may predispose consumers to health hazards, with spinach and mango posing the greatest risk. Farmers need to comply with safety guidelines on pesticide use.