Human Health Risk Assessment of Pesticide Residues in Solanum lycopersicum Fruit Sold in Lagos Metropolis, South-West Nigeria

Abstract

Tomato is a vegetable that is eaten all over the world including Nigeria and in order to control infestation by pests, most tomato farmers use pesticides that may impart harmful effect on human. Consequently, this study was designed to assess pesticides residues and associated health risks in tomatoes sold in Lagos state. The result obtained indicated the presence of alpha and delta lindane, heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide, endrin, endosulfan, endosulfan sulphate and ether. Mean concentrations (mg/kg) and estimated daily intake (EDI) (mg/kg/day) of the pesticide residues were in the range of 0.0042 to 0.336 mk/kg and 7.5E- 6 to 2.3E-4 mg/kg/day respectively. The hazard quotient (HQ) ranged from 0.00024 to 17.77, while the hazard indices range from 1.00 to 18.92. The incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) for the pesticide residues ranged from 5E- 5 to 2.1E- 3. The mean concentration of most of the pesticide residues in the tomato samples were above their maximum residue limit (MRL) while some had estimated daily intake (EDI) above their established acceptable daily intake (ADI) and  hazard quotients  (HQ) above their safe value. The hazard indices (HI) and Incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) for the pesticide residues were above their safe values. The results and findings of the study indicate that there is need for continuous monitoring of pesticides residues in tomatoes and education of farmers on the uses of pesticides.