Health risk assessment of pesticide residues in processed cereal-based complementary foods for infants and young children
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Date
2015-04-24
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Abstract
Thirty six pesticides comprising 13 organophosphorous, 14 organochlorine and 9
synthetic pyrethroid pesticides were analyzed in 10 brands of processed cereal-based
complementary foods for older infants and young children. The QuEChERS (quick,
easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe) method was used for extraction and clean-up.
Subsequent detection and quantification was done using Gas Ghromatograph
equipped with Electron Capture Detector and Pulse Flame P hotometric Detector.
Estimated Daily Intakes of pesticides were also determined. The results indicated
that mean concentrations for all processed cereal -based complementary food ranged
from 0.001 – 0.0126 mgkg
- 1
for OPs, 0.002 – 0.022 mgkg
-1
for OCs and 0.002 –
0.017 mgkg
-1
for pyrethroids. The OP pesticide with the highest concentration was
methamidophos; lindane (γ -HCH) recorded the highest concentration amongst the
OCs detected whilst permethrin recorded the highest concentration amongst the
pyrethroids detected. Maximum residue limit of 0.01 mgkg
-1
for baby food was
exceeded for the following OP pesticides: pirimiphos-methyl in baby food I;
fenitrothion in baby food E and I; chlorpyrifos in baby food C ; and methamidophos
in baby food F). For the OCs the following pesticides exceeded the MRL of 0.01
mgkg
-1
: p,p’-DDE in baby food G; dieldrin in baby food G; β-endosulfan in baby
food B; β-HCH in baby food C and I ; and γ -HCH in baby food D and E . In the case
of synthetic pyrethroid pesticides, cypermethrin in baby food J and permethrin in
baby food D exceeded the MRL for baby foods. Results from exposure assessment
indicated that EDI for OP and synthetic pyrethroid pesticides were below the
acceptable daily intakes (ADI). The non-carcinogenic risk assessment conducted for
these pesticides indicated Hazard Index (HI) of less than 1 for both OP and synthetic
pyrethroid pesticides. The exposure levels of γ-HCH in baby food D and E,
heptachlor in baby food E and dieldrin in baby food G and H were higher than their
respective ADI. The three OC pesticides subsequently recorded HIs greater than 1
indicating the possibility of adverse health effect on consumers. The Hazard Ratio
(HR) for carcinogenic risk for OC was greater than 1 for β-HCH in baby food A, C,
D and I; dieldrin in baby food F, G and H; heptachlor in baby food E and F; γ-HCH
in baby food B; and γ-chlordane in baby food E. This result raises serious concerns
of possible carcinogenicity for infants and young children.
Description
A thesis submitted to the Department of Food Science and Technology in
partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Science in
Food Quality Management,