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Pesticide Residue Analysis of Khat Leaves and Health Risks among Khat Chewers in the Amhara Region, Northwestern Ethiopia
- Source :
- Journal of Environmental and Public Health, Journal of Environmental and Public Health, Vol 2021 (2021)
- Publication Year :
- 2021
- Publisher :
- Hindawi Limited, 2021.
-
Abstract
- Introduction. Farmers use a large number of pesticides to increase the productivity of Khat cultivation. Since Khat is consumed by many Ethiopians as a habit, there may be a significant concentration of pesticide residues in Khat leaves which result in adverse effects among the exposed population. Excess use of pesticides in Khat causes cancer, genotoxicity, and endocrine disturbances. The current study aimed to determine the concentration of selected pesticide residues on Khat leaves samples and to estimate the possible health risk on consumers. Methods. Thirty Khat samples were collected from Khat cultivators in the Amhara region, Ethiopia. Pesticide residue extraction and cleanup of Khat samples were performed using the QuEChERS method. Data were also collected about personal variables and Khat consumption habits. The pesticide concentrations were determined and the health risks were estimated. Results. Profenofos, dimethoate, and chlorpyrifos were detected in 6 (20%), 24 (80%), and 28 (93.3%) Khat samples, respectively. However, diazinon was detected in two samples and endosulfan I was not detected. The average concentration of chlorpyrifos, dimethoate, profenofos, and diazinon in Khat samples was 75.39 ± 20.26, 130 ± 48.94, 242.45 ± 119.79, and 81.5 ± 21.0 μg/kg, respectively. The HQ for diazinon was greater than 1 which shows the chronic health risks associated with intake of diazinon among Khat chewers. The acute health risks associated with intake of profenofos and diazinon were minimal. Discussion. Pesticide residue exposure is a risk factor for cardiac complications, reduction in antioxidant defense system, and developing neurological symptoms. All the pesticides were higher than the European Union Maximum Residue Levels (EU-MRL). Diazinon has the potential to cause higher chronic health risks. Chronic Khat chewers in the region may face potential health risks from pesticide residues. Awareness creation among people in the study area is necessary to avoid the adverse health effects of pesticide residues.
- Subjects :
- Diazinon
Article Subject
Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis
Food Contamination
Catha
010501 environmental sciences
01 natural sciences
Toxicology
chemistry.chemical_compound
Khat
Humans
Medicine
media_common.cataloged_instance
European union
Endosulfan
0105 earth and related environmental sciences
media_common
biology
Pesticide residue
business.industry
010401 analytical chemistry
Pesticide Residues
Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
Pesticide
biology.organism_classification
0104 chemical sciences
Plant Leaves
chemistry
Chlorpyrifos
Ethiopia
Public aspects of medicine
RA1-1270
business
Dimethoate
Research Article
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 16879813 and 16879805
- Volume :
- 2021
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Journal of Environmental and Public Health
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....fab542c95c235b2a777b8e7e7e05e7fd