The Evaluation of Organochlorine Pesticide Residues in The Blood and Urine Samples of Cattles in Kaduna Metropolis
Abstract
The levels of Organochlorine pesticide residues in the blood and urine samples of Cattles in some selected areas within Kaduna metropolis in Nigeria were determined using standard methods. The results revealed the presence of alpha - lindane, delta -lindane, Dichlorodiethyldichloroethylene ( DDE), Dichlorodiphenyld icloroethane (DDD) and endosulfan. In the blood, Alpha -lindane, delta -lindane, Dichlorodiethyldichloroethylene (DDE), Dichlorodiphenyldicloroethane (DDD) and endosulfan were detected at concentrations of 2.06 mg/kg, 2.23 mg/kg, 1.84 mg/kg, 1.94 mg/kg and 0. 32 mg/kg respectively. In the urine samples, alpha -lindane, delta -lindane, DDD and endosulfan were detected at concentrations of 0.03 mg/kg, 0.03 mg/kg, 0.01 mg/kg and 0.38 mg/kg respectively. The levels of some of the detected organo -chlorine pesticides residues were above permissible limit of 0.01 mg/kg approved by European Union (EU) and therefore pose threats to the lives of human beings by causing some harmful diseases such as cancer, birth defect and respiratory problems.
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Introduction
Pesticides are substances that protect plants against moulds, fungi and insects, and hence reduce the percentage of crop loss. Organochlorine (OC) pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) have been used extensively in agriculture and various industries in the last century. The OCPs are highly resistant to degradation by biological, photochemical or chemical means. They are also toxic, hazardous and bioaccumulate in the environment (Darko and Acquaah, 2007). Their persistence in the environment still makes them to be detected in food items especially in different meat parts despite the fact that their use has been banned (Katsoyiannis and Samara, 2004). Also some developing countries still use them extensively on large farms (Mattewet al., 2013) as in Cameroon and for vector control purposes in Tanzania (Colombo et al., 1990;Mwevuraet al., 2002). Organochlorine pesticides applied to livestock most frequently include those used to control disease vectors, such as tick and tsetse flies which may therefore have positive impacts on health. eg, improving animal productivity and curbingdisease transmission to humans. At the same time, chemicals applied to livestock or infiltrating livestock products from the broader environment can impact negatively on health. eg, through residues or tainting of food products, pollution of drinking water sources and bioaccumulation in the food chain (WHO/UNEP, 2008). In vertebrate animals and humans, pesticides are retained in the adipose tissues from where they are gradually released in the circulatory system (Erickson, 1997). OCPs may cause heritable changes in the genetic materials, DNA, cancer, mammary and uterine tumors, neurological effects such as numbness or weakness of arms, legs, feet or hands, memory loss, anxiety and loss of concentration, death may also occur. Hence, due to the above effects, Organochlorine pesticide residues in the blood and urine samples of some Cattles in selected areas within Kaduna metropolis was evaluated
Conclusion
In this study, the presence of organochlorine pesticide residues such as alpha -lindane, delta lindane, DDD, DDE and endosulfan was confirmed. This study also shows that the level of alpha lindane, delta lindane, DDD, DDE and endosulfan in the blood and urine samples were higher than the permissible limit approved by the European Union. This study therefore shows that people consuming these Cattles within Kaduna south, Kaduna north and Chikun local government areas as studied stand the risk o f contacting some of the diseases associated with the consumption of meat containing organochlorine pesticide residues.
