Qualitative assessment of residual organochlorine pesticide in staple foods consumed in Wukari, Taraba State

Abstract

This study was aimed to determine the residual organochlorine presence in some staple foods; Yam (Dioscorea spp) and Bambara nut (Vigna subterranean) sold in Wukari markets. Samples were randomly collected from three major markets across the study areas. Representative samples were cleansed, dried, pulverized and sieved. Extractions were determined using standard analytical techniques while residual organochlorine pesticides were determined using GCMS. The detected organochlorine pesticide residues in yam were Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), heptachlor, dieldrin, toxaphene and Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane (DDE) while those detected in Bambara nut were 1, 4dichlorobenzene, methoxychlor, pentachlorophenol, DDT, and toxaphene. This preliminary assessment showed that Yam and Bambara nut consumed in Wukari contained certain level of organochlorine pesticide residues which may be detrimental to human health in the nearest future.