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. 2018 Nov 12;8(1):16686.
doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-35205-w.

Risk Of Human Dietary Exposure To Organochlorine Pesticide Residues In Fruits From Ghana

Frederick Forkuoh  1 , Nathaniel Owusu Boadi  2 , Lawrence Sheringham Borquaye  1 , Samuel Afful  3
Affiliations

Risk Of Human Dietary Exposure To Organochlorine Pesticide Residues In Fruits From Ghana

Frederick Forkuoh et al. Sci Rep. .

Abstract

The objectives of this present study were to assess the level of organochlorine pesticide (OCP) residues in fruits and to determine the potential health risks associated with the exposure to these pesticides. A total of 120 fruits (watermelon, pineapple, and banana) were collected from five communities and a local market within the Mampong Municipality and analyzed for organochlorine pesticide residues. The results showed that the concentrations ranged from not detectable (ND)-48.22 ng/g for DDTs, ND-19.03 ng/g for HCHs, ND-4.10 ng/g for CHLs, ND-22.84 ng/g for Aldrin, and ND-11.53 ng/g for other OCPs. Levels of methoxychlor, Aldrin and gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) exceeded the maximum residue limits in watermelon. Estimated health risk revealed that Aldrin in watermelon could pose potential toxicity to the consumer. Estimated average daily intake for Aldrin was above the acceptable average daily intake.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Map of the study area showing the sampling points.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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