Monitoring of Butter and Ghee (Clarified Butter Fat) for Pesticidal Contamination from Cotton Belt of Haryana, India

Butter (45) and ghee (55) samples were collected from rural and urban areas of cotton growing belt of Haryana and analysed for detecting the residues of organochlorine, synthetic pyrethroid and organophosphate insecticides. The estimation was carried out by using multi residue analytical technique employing GC-ECD and GC-NPD systems equipped with capillary columns. Butter samples were comparatively more contaminated (97%) than ghee (94%), showing more contamination with organochlorine insecticides from urban samples. About 11% samples of butter showed endosulfan residues above MRL value and 2% samples had residues of synthetic pyrethroids and organophosphates each above their respective MRL values. In ghee, residues of HCH & DDT both and of endosulfan exceeded the MRL values in 5 and 20% samples, respectively. Among organophosphates, only chlorpyriphos was detected with 9% samples showing its residue above MRL value. Irrespective of contamination levels, residues above the MRL values were more in ghee. More extensive study covering other agricultural regions/zones of Haryana has been suggested to know the overall scenario of contamination of milk products.     

Monitoring of pesticide residues in market basket samples of vegetable from Lucknow City, India: QuEChERS method

The study was conducted on 20 vegetables including leafy, root, modified stem, and fruity vegetables like bitter gourd, jack fruit, french-bean, onion, colocassia, pointed gourd, capsicum, spinach, potato, fenugreek seeds, carrot, radish, cucumber, beetroot, brinjal, cauliflower, cabbage, tomato, okra, and bottle gourd. Forty-eight pesticides including 13 organochlorines (OCs), 17 organophosphates (OPs), 10 synthetic pyrethriods (SPs), and eight herbicides (H) pesticides were analyzed. A total number of 60 samples, each in triplicates, were analyzed using Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe method. The quantification was done by GC-ECD/NPD. The recovery varies from 70.22% to 96.32% with relative standard deviation (RSD) of 15%. However the limit of detection ranged from 0.001?C0.009 mg kg^???1 for OCs, SPs, OPs, and H, respectively. Twenty-three pesticides were detected from total 48 analyzed pesticides in the samples with the range of 0.005?C12.35 mg kg^???1. The detected pesticides were: ??-HCH, Dicofol, ??-Endosulfan, Fenpropathrin, Permethrin-II, ??-cyfluthrin-II, Fenvalerate-I, Dichlorvos, Dimethoate, Diazinon, Malathion, Chlorofenvinfos, Anilophos, and Dimethachlor. In some vegetables like radish, cucumber, cauliflower, cabbage, and okra, the detected pesticides (??-HCH, Permethrin-II, Dichlorvos, and Chlorofenvinfos) were above maximum residues limit (MRL) (PFA 1954). However, in other vegetables the level of pesticide residues was either below detection limit or MRL.     

Monitoring of pesticide residues in South Indian tea

Tea is the most commonly consumed beverage in the world. Tea infusion is prepared by pouring boiling hot water over cured leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. Such a beverage should be free from toxic chemicals. Studies on the monitoring of pesticide residues in tea of South India had been carried. Tea samples collected from different districts of South India were analysed for the residues of certain pesticide such as dicofol, ethion, quinalphos, hexaconazole, fenpropathrin, fenvalerate and propargite. These pesticides are commonly used for the control of pests and diseases in tea. The results of study indicated that among 468 samples examined, only one sample contained hexaconazole residue that exceeded the maximum residue limit (MRL). Though the residues of ethion, quinalphos, hexaconazole, dicofol, propargite and fenpropathrin were most commonly found, only one sample exceeded the MRL.     

Pesticide residues in vegetable samples from the Andaman Islands, India

Vegetable samples of brinjal, okra, green chilli, crucifers, and cucurbits collected from farmers' field were tested for the presence of organochlorine (OC), organophosphorus (OP), and synthetic pyrethroid (SP) compounds using a gas chromatograph equipped with electron capture and flame thermionic detectors. Of the samples tested, 34.0 % were found to have pesticide residues. Among the OC compounds, α-endosulfan, β-endosulfan, and endosulfan sulfate were detected in 14.5 % of the samples with residues. These were taken from crucifer, okra, green chilli, and cucurbit samples. SP compound residues, such as α-cypermethrin, fenvalerate I, fluvalinate I, deltamethrin, and λ-cyhalothrin were detected in 32 % of the samples with residues. OP compound residues such as chlorpyrifos, profenofos, monocrotophos, triazophos, ethion, dimethoate, and acephate were found in 54 % of the samples with residues, which were taken from all vegetable samples. Of the positive samples, 15.3 % were found to contain residues exceeding the prescribed maximum residue limit. The average pesticide residue content across all the vegetable samples was 0.108 ppm, with values ranging from 0.008 to 2.099 ppm. Multiple residues of more than one compound were detected in 34.1 % of samples containing residues.     

Pesticide residues in rain water from Hisar, India

Presence of pesticide residues was studied in rain water during 2002 employing multi residue analysis method by gas liquid chromatography equipped with ECD and NPD detectors and capillary columns. The presence of pesticide residues in surface aquatic system triggered the investigation of the presence of pesticides in rain water. A total of 13 pesticides were detected in rain water samples. Among the different groups of pesticides, organochlorines were present in the range of 0.041–7.060 ppb with maximum concentration of p,p’-DDT up to 7.060 μg l⁻¹. Synthetic pyrethroids were present ranging from 0.100 to 1.000 μg l⁻¹ and organophosphates in the range of 0.050–4.000 μg l⁻¹ showing maximum contamination with cypermethrin (1.000 μg l⁻¹) and monocrotophos (4.000 μg l⁻¹) of the respective groups. Almost 80% samples showed the residues above MRL of 0.5 ppb fixed for multi residues and on the basis of single pesticide, 16–50% samples contained residues above the MRL value of 0.1 ppb.     

Status of insecticide contamination of soil and water in Haryana, India

Twelve samples each of soil and ground water were collected from paddy-wheat, paddy-cotton, sugarcane fields and tube wells from same or near by fields around Hisar, Haryana, India during 2002–2003 to monitor pesticide residues. Residues were estimated by GC-ECD and GC-NPD systems equipped with capillary columns for organochlorine, synthetic pyrethroid and organophosphate insecticides. In soil, HCH (0.002–0.051 μg g⁻¹), DDT (0.001–0.066 μg g⁻¹), endosulfan (0.002–0.039 μg g⁻¹) and chlordane (0.0002–0.019 μg g⁻¹) among organochlorines, cypermethrin (0.001–0.035 μg g⁻¹) and fenvalerate (0.001–0.022 μg g⁻¹) among synthetic pyrethroids and chlorpyriphos (0.002–0.172 μg g⁻¹), malathion (0.002–0.008 μg g⁻¹), quinalphos (0.001–0.010 μg g⁻¹) among organophosphates were detected. Dominant contaminants were DDT, cypermethrin and chlorpyriphos from the respective groups. In water samples, HCH, DDT, endosulfan and cypermethrin residues were observed frequently. Only chlorpyriphos among organophosphates was detected in 10 samples. On consideration of tube well water for drinking purpose, about 80% samples were found to contain residues above the regulatory limits.     

Monitoring of Pesticide Residues in Fruits

Fruit samples of ber, grapes and guava analysed for pesticide residues employing multiresidue analysis by gas liquid chromatography equipped with ECD and NPD detectors and capillary columns showed contamination with organochlorine, synthetic pyrethroid and organophosphate insecticides. Among organochlorines, HCH, DDT and endosulfan were detected in almost all the samples. Residues of HCH and DDT were maximum in ber followed by grapes and guava where as of endosulfan were maximum in guava followed by grapes and ber. All the fruit samples showed the presence of residues with one or the other group of pesticides. Residues of none of the pesticides exceeded the MRL values in any sample. On the basis of these studies, it is suggested that monitoring studies should be extended to other fruits grown in different agro climatic regions which may serve as basis for future policy in chemical use.     

Presence of pesticide residues on produce cultivated in Suriname

Agricultural pesticides are widely used in Suriname, an upper middle-income Caribbean country located in South America. Suriname imported 1.8 million kg of agricultural pesticides in 2015. So far, however, national monitoring of pesticides in crops is absent. Reports from the Netherlands on imported Surinamese produce from 2010 to 2015 consistently showed that samples exceeded plant-specific pesticide maximum residue limits (MRLs) of the European Union (EU). Consumption of produce containing unsafe levels of pesticide residues can cause neurological disorders, and particularly, pregnant women and children may be vulnerable. This pilot study assessed the presence of pesticide residues in commonly consumed produce items cultivated in Suriname. Thirty-two insecticides (organophosphates, organochlorines, carbamates, and pyrethroids) and 12 fungicides were evaluated for their levels in nine types of produce. Pesticide residue levels exceeding MRLs in this study regarded cypermethrin (0.32 μg/g) in tomatoes (USA MRL 0.20 μg/g), lambda-cyhalothrin (1.08 μg/g) in Chinese cabbage (USA MRL 0.40 μg/g), endosulfan (0.07 μg/g) in tannia (EU MRL 0.05 μg/g), and lindane (0.02 and 0.03 μg/g, respectively) in tannia (EU MRL 0.01 μg/g). While only a few pesticide residues were detected in this small pilot study, these residues included two widely banned pesticides (endosulfan and lindane). There is a need to address environmental policy gaps. A more comprehensive sampling and analysis of produce from Suriname is warranted to better understand the scope of the problem. Preliminary assessments, using intake rate, hazard quotient, and level of concern showed that it is unlikely that daily consumption of tannia leads to adverse health effects.     

Analysis of insecticides in okra and brinjal from IPM and non-IPM fields

Samples of okra and brinjal fruits, collected from non-integrated pest management (Non-IPM) and IPM fields in village Raispur, Ghaziabad District (U.P.), were analyzed for pesticide residues. The residues of chlorpyrifos in soil were 4.219 and 1.135 microg/g at harvest time in non-IPM and IPM fields of summer okra crop from initial value of 0.407 microg/g before sowing, while in brinjal crop, it was not detected in soils of any trials. During first year of study, the residues of chlorpyrifos and cypermethrin in okra fruit were observed to be 5.75 and 0.625 microg/g, respectively, for non-IPM fields; and 0.104 microg/g of chlorpyrifos for IPM trials. The pesticide residues were found to be 0.77, 1.39, 0.4 and 0.32 microg/g for cypermethrin, chlorpyrifos, monocrotophos and dimethoate, respectively, for non-IPM okra fruits in second year. For brinjal fruit, residues of cypermethrin and imidacloprid were not detected in IPM trials while it was found to be 0.28 and 0.78 microg/g for cypermethrin and chlorpyrifos respectively, for non-IPM trials.     

Magnitude of pesticidal contamination in winter vegetables from Hisar,Haryana

Monitoring of 80 winter vegetable samples during 1997–1998 for pesticidal contamination was carried out on GC-ECD and GC-NPD systems with capillary columns following multiresidueanalytical technique. The tested samples were found 100%contaminated with low but measurable amounts of pesticideresidues. Among the four major chemical groups, residue levels oforganophosphorous insecticides were highest followed bycarbamates, synthetic pyrethroids and organochlorines. About 32%of the samples showed contamination with organophosphorous andcarbamate insecticides above their respective MRL values. On thebasis of observations made in these studies, it is suggested thatmore extensive monitoring studies covering all vegetable cropsfrom different agro-climatic regions of the state be carried outto know exact level of pesticidal contamination, which may serveas basis for future policy on chemical use.     

Monitoring of Seasonal Vegetables for Pesticide Residues

Market samples (60) of six seasonal vegetables were monitoredduring 1996–1997 to determine the magnitude of pesticidalcontamination. The estimation of insecticide residuesrepresenting four major chemical groups i.e. organochlorine,organophosphorous, synthetic pyrethroid and carbamate, was doneby adopting a multiresidue analytical technique employingGC-ECD and GC-NPD systems with capillary columns. The testedsamples showed 100% contamination with low but measurableamounts of residues. Among the four chemical groups, theorganophosphates were dominant followed by organochlorines,synthetic pyrethroids and carbamates. About 23% of the samplesshowed contamination with organophosphorous compounds abovetheir respective MRL values. More extensive studies coveringdifferent regions of Haryana state are suggested to get a clearidea of the magnitude of vegetable contamination with pesticideresidues.     

Persistence and effect of processing on reduction of chlorantraniliprole residues on brinjal and okra fruits

Dissipation and decontamination of chlorantraniliprole (Coragen 18.5 SC) in brinjal and okra fruits were studied following field application at single and double doses of 30 and 60 g ai ha^?1, and the residues of the insecticide was estimated using LC-MS/MS. Initial residues of chlorantraniliprole at single and double doses on the fruits of brinjal were 0.72 and 1.48 mg kg^?1, while on okra fruits, the residues were 0.48 and 0.91 mg kg^?1, respectively. The residues reached below detectable level of 0.01 mg kg^?1 on the 10th day. Half-life of chlorantraniliprole at 30 and 60 g ai ha^?1 on brinjal was 1.58 and 1.80 days with the calculated waiting period of 0.69 and 2.38 days, whereas on okra, the values were 1.60 and 1.70 and 0 and 1.20 days, respectively. The extent of removal of chlorantraniliprole using simple decontaminating techniques at 2 h and 3 days after spraying was 40.99–91.37 % and 29.85–89.12 %, respectively, from brinjal fruits and 47.78–86.10 % and 41.77–86.48 %, respectively, from okra fruits.     

Monitoring of pesticide residues of five notable vegetables at Agbogbloshie market in Accra,Ghana

The study monitored the concentrations of pesticide residues in vegetables arriving at Agbogbloshie, a central market in the Accra Metropolis from different parts of Ghana and beyond. A total of 810 samples of 5 different vegetables from Central, Volta, Greater Accra, Ashanti, Eastern Regions, and neighboring country (Togo) were collected from January 2009 through to December 2011. In all, 18 % of the samples had no detectable residues, 62 % were below the maximum residue limits (MRLs), and 20 % also exceeded the EU (MRLs) adopted values. Overall, lettuce contained the highest number of residues above their MRLs besides cucumber and cabbage. The pesticide residues were mainly organophosphates and synthetic pyrethroids. The results demonstrate the need for continuous monitoring of pesticide residues in vegetables arriving at the various major markets in Ghana.     

Pesticide residue level in tea ecosystems of Hill and Dooars regions of West Bengal, India

In the present study we quantified the residues of organophosphorus (e.g. ethion and chlorpyrifos), organochlorine (e.g. heptachlor, dicofol, alpha-endosulfan, beta-endosulfan, endosulfan sulfate) and synthetic pyrethroid (e.g. cypermethrin and deltamethrin) pesticides in made tea, fresh tea leaves, soils and water bodies from selected tea gardens in the Dooars and Hill regions of West Bengal, India during April and November, 2006. The organophosphorus (OP) pesticide residues were detected in 100% substrate samples of made tea, fresh tea leaves and soil in the Dooars region. In the Hill region, 20% to 40% of the substrate samples contained residues of organophosphorus (OP) pesticides. The organochlorine (OC) pesticide residues were detected in 33% to 100% of the substrate samples, excluding the water bodies in the Dooars region and 0% to 40% in the Hill region. The estimated mean totals of studied pesticides were higher in fresh tea leaves than in made tea and soils. The synthetic pyrethroid (SP) pesticide residues could not be detected in the soils of both the regions and in the water bodies of the Dooars. Sixteen percent and 20% of the made tea samples exceeded the MRL level of chlorpyrifos in Dooars and Hill regions respectively. The residues of heptachlor exceeded the MRL in 33% (April) and 100% (November) in the Dooars and 40% (April) and 20% (November) in the Hill region. Based on the study it was revealed that the residues of banned items like heptachlor and chlorpyrifos in made tea may pose health hazards to the consumers.     

Pesticide residues in fruits at the market level in Accra Metropolis, Ghana, a preliminary study

A number of pesticide residues in fruits were monitored at five markets in the Accra Metropolis for almost a year. Locally produced fruits (pawpaw and tomato) and imported apple were purchased from these selected markets in the metropolis and analyzed for pesticide residues by gas chromatography equipped with electron capture detector. In all, 320 sampled fruits were extracted and analyzed for pesticide residues, mainly organochlorines (??-HCH, ??-HCH, aldrin, heptachlor, ??-chlordane, heptachlor epoxide, ??-endosulfan, p,p??-DDE, endrin, ??-endosulfan, o,p??-DDT, endrin aldehyde, p,p??- DDT, endrin ketone, and methoxychlor). The data revealed that 32.8% of the fruit samples analyzed contained residues of the monitored insecticides above the accepted maximum residue limit (MRL) whereas 48.7% were below the MRL. Nonetheless, the continuous consumption of such fruits with modest pesticide levels can accumulate and could result in deadly chronic effects.     

Wild boar (Sus scrofa) as a bioindicator of organochlorine compound contamination in terrestrial ecosystems of West Pomerania Province, NW Poland

The aim of this study was to detect the presence and determine the residue levels of DDT, lindane, endrin and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the liver of wild boars from the area of West Pomerania, NW Poland; to determine the activity of glutathione S-transferase (GST) as a biomarker of biological response and to assess the toxicological risk for consumers of the wild boar offal. The presence of pesticide residues and PCBs was found in all examined liver samples. The highest concentration was observed for endrin, and then, the descending order was PCBs >DDTs >lindane >dl-PCBs. The mean hepatic concentrations of endrin, PCBs, DDTs and lindane were 117.28, 78.59, 67.95 and 7.24 ng/g lipid weight, respectively. Among the dioxin-like PCB congeners, 118 and 156 were dominant in liver samples. The mean toxic equivalent (TEQ) level calculated for dl-PCBs was 2.10?±?1.11 pg WHO-PCB-TEQ/g. There was a statistically significant (p?<?0.05) negative correlation between the concentration of lindane, DDTs and PCBs (as a sum of indicator congeners) in the liver and in the activity of GST. However, GST activities showed no significant correlation with any of the dl-PCBs. In five boar liver samples, the levels of certain organochlorine compounds exceeded the maximum residue levels (MRLs). In one sample, the MRLs were exceeded simultaneously for PCBs, endrin and DDTs and in another one—for endrin and DDTs. In the remaining three samples, only PCB levels were exceeded.     

The contamination of fish with chlorinated hydrocarbons in Portugal: continental coast and Azores islands

In a baseline study, muscle and liver from important commercial fish belonging to different trophic levels were analysed for organochlorines. Samples of sole, sardine and hake were collected from seven locations off the Continental coast and greater forkbeard and horse mackerel off two Azores islands. Residues of ppDDT, ppDDE and PCBs were present in all muscle and liver samples. ppDDD occurred in all liver samples and in most muscle samples, except in sole where it occurred in 29% of the samples. Dieldrin was detected less frequently and did not occur in samples from the Azores. The residue levels were generally similar to those detected in related species from the North Sea, except for samples of sole collected between the Tagus and Sado estuaries where much higher residues were obtained. In view of the low consumption of insecticides in the Azores, it is proposed that long-range transport of organochlorines by winds and/or marine currents is responsible for their presence in this area. The organochlorine residues found in these fish showed no relationship with their position in the food chain but the values did increase with the quantity of lipids present. An unknown compound analysed by GC-MS interfered with DDE quantification in one sample of greater forkbeard.     

Organochlorine pesticide residues in ground water of Thiruvallur district, India

Modern agriculture practices reveal an increase in use of pesticides and fertilizers to meet the food demand of increasing population which results in contamination of the environment. In India crop production increased to 100% but the cropping area has increased marginally by 20%. Pesticides have played a major role in achieving the maximum crop production, but maximum usage and accumulation of pesticide residues was highly detrimental to aquatic and other ecosystem. The present study was chosen to know the level of organochlorines contamination in ground water of Thiruvallur district, Tamil Nadu, India. The samples were highly contaminated with DDT, HCH, endosulfan and their derivatives. Among the HCH derivatives, Gamma HCH residues was found maximum of 9.8 μg/l in Arumbakkam open wells. Concentrations of pp-DDT and op-DDT were 14.3 μg/l and 0.8 μg/l. The maximum residue (15.9 μg/l) of endosulfan sulfate was recorded in Kandigai village bore well. The study showed that the ground water samples were highly contaminated with organochlorine residues.     

Dissipation of flubendiamide in/on Brinjal (Solanum melongena) fruits

A field experiment was conducted at Anand Agricultural University, Anand during Sept-Dec, 2009 to study the rate of degradation of flubendiamide in/on brinjal fruits following foliar application of Fame 480 SC at 90 (standard dose) and 180 (double dose) g a.i. ha(?-1). The residues estimated using HPLC revealed persistence of flubendiamide in/on brinjal till 3rd and 7th day after the last spray at standard and double dose, respectively. The residues of flubendiamamde were reported as parent compound, and no desiodo metabolite was detected. The initial deposits of 0.17 and 0.42 μg g(?-1) in/on brinjal fruits reached below determination level of 0.05 μg g(?-1) on the 5th and 10th day at standard and double dose, respectively. The half life of flubendiamide on brinjal fruits ranged from 2.68 to 2.55 days. Soil samples analyzed on the 15th day after the last spray revealed residues at below determination level (0.05 μg g(?-1)) at either dose of application.     

Pesticide Residues in Bovine Milk from a Predominantly Agricultural State of Haryana, India

One hundred forty seven samples of bovine milk were collected from 14 districts of Haryana, India during December 1998–February 1999 and analysed for the presence of organochlorine pesticide (OCPs) residues. ∑HCH, ∑DDT, ∑endosulfan and aldrin were detected in 100%, 97%, 43% and 12% samples and with mean values of 0.0292, 0.0367, 0.0022 and 0.0036 μg/ml, respectively. Eight percent samples exceeded the maximum residue limit (MRL) of 0.10 mg/kg as recommended by WHO for ∑HCH, 4% samples of 0.05 mg/kg for α-HCH, 5% samples of 0.01 mg/kg for γ-HCH, 26% samples of 0.02 mg/kg for β-HCH as recommended by PFAA and 24% samples of 0.05 mg/kg as recommended by FAO for ∑DDT. Concentrations of β-HCH and p,p′-DDE were more as compared to other isomers and metabolites of HCH and DDT.