TY - JOUR

T1 - Assessment of organochlorine pesticide residues in agricultural soils of southern Nigeria and analysis of potential health risks

AU - Udoekpo, I.U.

AU - Inyangudoh, A.I.

AU - Awa-Arua, T.A.

AU - Ogwo, E.I.

AU - Offiong, N.-A.O.

AU - Inam, E.J.

AU - Halsall, C.J.

N1 - Export Date: 18 December 2024 Correspondence Address: Inyangudoh, A.I.; Department of Chemistry, Nigeria; email: akwaowoinyangudoh20@gmail.com Funding details: Lancaster Environment Centre, Faculty of Science and Technology, Lancaster University, LEC Funding details: Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFund, 2012-2015 Funding details: Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFund Funding text 1: We acknowledge the support from Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, UK for technical assistance. Funding text 2: The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) Institutional Based Research grant 2012-2015 combined intervention provided funding for this study.

PY - 2024/12/31

Y1 - 2024/12/31

N2 - The use of pesticides in commercial farms can lead to exposure among various vulnerable groups. This study assessed the distribution, human health risks, and origins of 13 targeted organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in soil samples from commercial farms in Southern Nigeria. Following a questionnaire survey on pesticide usage, soil samples were subjected to Soxhlet extraction and analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Results indicated that 31.6 % of farmers did not use personal protective equipment, and only 37.6 % had received training on safe pesticide application. While pyrethroids and organophosphates were commonly used, organochlorines were rarely applied. The detected levels of OCPs in the agricultural zones ranged from below detection limit (BDL) to 18.35 ± 13.83 µg/kg and were generally within the minimum risk level (MRL), except for α-HCH and β-HCH in Oron and Etinan zones. The estimated non-carcinogenic risk s from detected OCPs were insignificant at the time of the study, as the calculated Hazard Indexes (HIs) and Hazard Quotients (HQs) for ingestion, dermal absorption, and inhalation were all less than 1, indicating generally low risks. The carcinogenic risk assessment showed that the Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk (ILCR) values ranged from 10 -10 to 10 -4, indicating a very low to low risk level according to the classification by the United States Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (US ATSDR). Source apportionment suggested that most OCP congeners were of historical origin, with only a few indicating recent use. In conclusion, organochlorine pesticide residues in the studied farms posed minimal health risks, with most originating from historical rather than recent use.

AB - The use of pesticides in commercial farms can lead to exposure among various vulnerable groups. This study assessed the distribution, human health risks, and origins of 13 targeted organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in soil samples from commercial farms in Southern Nigeria. Following a questionnaire survey on pesticide usage, soil samples were subjected to Soxhlet extraction and analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Results indicated that 31.6 % of farmers did not use personal protective equipment, and only 37.6 % had received training on safe pesticide application. While pyrethroids and organophosphates were commonly used, organochlorines were rarely applied. The detected levels of OCPs in the agricultural zones ranged from below detection limit (BDL) to 18.35 ± 13.83 µg/kg and were generally within the minimum risk level (MRL), except for α-HCH and β-HCH in Oron and Etinan zones. The estimated non-carcinogenic risk s from detected OCPs were insignificant at the time of the study, as the calculated Hazard Indexes (HIs) and Hazard Quotients (HQs) for ingestion, dermal absorption, and inhalation were all less than 1, indicating generally low risks. The carcinogenic risk assessment showed that the Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk (ILCR) values ranged from 10 -10 to 10 -4, indicating a very low to low risk level according to the classification by the United States Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (US ATSDR). Source apportionment suggested that most OCP congeners were of historical origin, with only a few indicating recent use. In conclusion, organochlorine pesticide residues in the studied farms posed minimal health risks, with most originating from historical rather than recent use.

KW - Agricultural soils

KW - Organochlorine pesticide

KW - Public health

KW - Risk assessment

KW - Southern Nigeria

KW - chlordane

KW - organochlorine pesticide

KW - pesticide residue

KW - absorption

KW - agricultural worker

KW - agriculture

KW - Article

KW - calibration

KW - cancer risk

KW - environmental factor

KW - health hazard

KW - ingestion

KW - lifespan

KW - pollution

KW - quality control

KW - questionnaire

KW - risk assessment

KW - soil

KW - soil analysis

KW - Soxhlet extraction

U2 - 10.1016/j.toxrep.2024.101843

DO - 10.1016/j.toxrep.2024.101843

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 39717855

VL - 13

JO - Toxicology Reports

JF - Toxicology Reports

SN - 2214-7500

M1 - 101843

ER -