Diffusion of organochlorine (OCPs) and cypermethrin pesticides from rohu (Labeo rohita) internal organs to edible tissues during ice storage: a threat to human health.

The migration of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and cypermethrin residues from internal organs to edible tissues of ice-held Labeo rohita (rohu) was investigated in this study. The liver (246 µg/kg) had the highest level of ∑OCP residues, followed by the gills (226 µg/kg), intestine (167 µg/kg), and muscle tissue (54 µg/kg). The predominant OCPs in the liver and gut were endosulfan (53-66 µg/kg), endrin (45-53 µg/kg), and dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane (DDT; 26-35 µg/kg). The ∑OCP residues in muscle increased to 152 µg/kg when the entire rohu was stored in ice, but they decreased to 129 µg/kg in gill tissues. On days 5 and 9, the total OCPs in the liver increased to 317 µg/kg and 933 µg/kg, respectively. Beyond day 5 of storage, total internal organ disintegration had led to an abnormal increase in OCP residues of liver-like mass. Despite a threefold increase in overall OCP residues by day 9, accumulation of benzene hexachloride (BHC) and heptachlor was sixfold, endrin and DDT were fourfold, aldrin was threefold, and endosulfan and cypermethrin were both twofold. Endosulfan, DDT, endrin, and heptachlor were similarly lost in the gills at a rate of 40%, while aldrin and BHC were also lost at 60 and 30%, respectively. The accumulation of OCP residues in tissues has been attributed to particular types of fatty acid derivatives. The study concluded that while pesticide diffusion to edible tissues can occur during ice storage, the levels observed were well below the allowable limit for endosulfan, endrin, and DDT.

Residual levels, phase distributions, and human health risks of OCPs in the middle reach of the Huai River, China.

Are the residues of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in freshwater in China still of concern after prohibition and restriction for decades? The scarcity of monitoring data on OCPs in freshwater in China over the past few years has hampered understanding of this issue. In this study, water and suspended particulate matter (SPM) samples were collected from the middle reach of the Huai River for OCP analyses. Residues of ∑OCPs in water and SPM ranged from ND to 8.6 ng L-1 and 0.50 to 179 ng L-1, with mean concentrations of 1.7 ± 1.3 ng L-1 and 6.1 ± 31 ng L-1, respectively. ∑HCHs (α-, ß-, γ-, and δ-HCH) and ∑HEPTs (heptachlor and heptachlor epoxide) were the most predominant pesticides in the dissolved phase and SPM, respectively, accounting for 43 ± 35% and 27 ± 29% of ∑OCPs. HCHs and heptachlor epoxide mainly existed in the dissolved phase, while heptachlor mainly existed in SPM. The isomeric composition pattern of HCHs in water differed from that in SPM. Briefly, ß-HCH dominated in water, while δ-HCH dominated in SPM. However, the composition pattern of DDT and its metabolites in water was similar to that in SPM. o,p'-DDD and p,p'-DDE dominated in both water and SPM. The ratios of α-/γ-HCH and (DDD + DDE)/DDTs indicated that HCHs and DDTs were mainly derived from historical residues. Risk assessments indicated that OCPs may not pose carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks to residents.

Risk surveillance with spatial distribution of Organochlorine Pesticides (OCPs) from sedimentary samples of Chenab River.

A pioneering study employed a holistic geostatistical approach to predict the spatial variability of a non sampled area in the Chenab River, Pakistan, using kriging interpolation for organochlorine pesticide (OCP)-polluted risk zones. The Present research intended to investigate the carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic human health risks, contamination levels, and spatial variation of OCPs in the Chenab River, Pakistan. The residual OCP content in sediment samples (n = 120) ranged from 0.056 to 32.14 ng/g. DDE and α-HCH were prevalent among all the samples analyzed, with mean concentrations of 15.84 ± 8.02 and 12.45 ± 6.72 ng/g, respectively. The order of magnitude of OCPs in sediment samples was DDTs > α-HCH > chlorothalonil > heptachlor > endosulfan > aldrin > dieldrin. The findings of the single (SPI) and Nemerow (Nel) pollution index of α-HCH, heptachlor, and aldrin depicted the Chenab River as a serious pollution risk zone. The outcomes of the Pearson correlation coefficient analysis represent the positive correlation among all OCPs, revealing the common origin. Distribution trends showed substantially higher (p < 0.05) contents of analyzed OCPs along the downstream zone. With regards to USEPA human health hazard assessment model, the estimated non-carcinogenic (ΣHI) and non-carcinogenic (ΣTCR) risk ranged from 1.1 × 10-5 to 1.0 × 10-1, 4.0 × 10-8 to 3.2 × 10-4 respectively. TCR >10-4 illustrated a substantial cancer health risk posed by α-HCH, heptachlor, aldrin, and dieldrin in the downstream zone. We recommend the urgent cessation of the ongoing discharge of OCPs into the Chenab River, which needs to be highlighted owing to the significant cancer risk to public health to ensure the good health and wellbeings.

Water quality, human health risk, and pesticides accumulation in African catfish and Nile tilapia from the Kitchener Drain-Egypt.

Pesticides are toxic and could negatively impact humans and the ecosystem. The Kitchener Drain is among the longest drains in Egypt and carries a wide range of wastewater from the agriculture sector, which contains pesticides and may pollute the ecosystem. Thus, water quality, human health risk, and pesticide accumulation in African catfish and Nile tilapia from the Kitchener Drain-Egypt. The water and fish samples were collected from Kitchener Drain in Kafr Elsheikh Governorate, Egypt, during the four seasons. The results indicated that heptachlor and diazinon were undetected during the four seasons. However, endosulfan, chlorpyrifos, and dicofol were detected in winter and autumn. Only p,p'-DDT was detected during spring. Endosulfan, heptachlor, and aldrin were detected in Nile tilapia during winter. Only heptachlor and aldrin were detected during spring. Endosulfan, heptachlor, dicofol, p,p'-DDT, chlorpyrifos, and diazinon were detected in the autumn season. In summer, dicofol and p,p'-DDT were detected, while endosulfan, heptachlor p,p'-DDT, aldrin, chlorpyrifos, and diazinon were not detected. In African catfish, endosulfan, heptachlor, dicofol, and p,p'-DDT were detected during winter, while chlorpyrifos, aldrin, and chlorpyrifos, aldrin, and diazinon were not detected. In the spring season, endosulfan, heptachlor, and aldrin were detected. Endosulfan, heptachlor, dicofol, p,p'-DDT, aldrin, chlorpyrifos, and diazinon were detected in the autumn season. Similarly, in the summer season, endosulfan, heptachlor, dicofol, p,p'-DDT, aldrin, chlorpyrifos, and diazinon were detected. The sequence of estimated daily intake (EDI) in Nile tilapia during the four seasons is heptachlor > endosulfan > dicofol > p,p'-DDT > aldrin > diazinon > chlorpyrifos. The sequence of EDI in African catfish during the four seasons is endosulfan > p,p'-DDT > heptachlor > aldrin > dicofol > diazinon > chlorpyrifos. In conclusion, the results confirmed the absence of a hazard index for consuming Nile tilapia and African catfish collected from the Kitchener drain.

Bioaccumulation of pesticide residue in earthworms collected from the agricultural soils of Kuttanad-a unique agroecosystem in India.

Earthworms encompass significant soil faunal biomass and have tremendous potential to provide vital ecosystem services. Earthworms are considered bioindicators of chemical contaminants and can provide early warnings of ecosystem deterioration. Studies pertaining to the accumulation of pesticide residues in earthworm in biomass in agrarian ecosystems are scarce. The Kuttanad agroecosystem (KAE), situated on the southwest coast of India, is one of the few regions globally supporting farming on land below the mean sea level. This investigation was conducted to assess the bioaccumulation of pesticide residues in earthworms from the KAE. The earthworms species Glyphidrilus annandalei collected from agricultural soils of the study area were analyzed for the presence of pesticides residues such as α-BHC, γ-BHC, atrazine, heptachlor, α-chlordane, γ-chlordane, 4,4-DDE, 4,4-DDD, 4,4-DDT, ß-endosulfan, and endrin ketone in their biomass. Analysis of the earthworm samples using a gas chromatograph revealed the presence of ten pesticide residues with notable concentrations (α-BHC, 0.36 ng/g; γ-BHC, 0.41 ng/g; heptachlor, 0.10 ng/g; atrazine, 0.89 ng/g; α-chlordane, 0.07 ng/g; γ-chlordane, 0.10 ng/g; 4,4-DDE, 0.05 ng/g; 4,4-DDD, 0.11 ng/g; 4,4-DDT, 0.31 ng/g; ß-endosulfan, 0.19 ng/g; and endrin ketone, 0.13 ng/g). Six groups of pesticide residues are ΣBHC, ΣDDT, atrazine, Σchlordane, endrin ketone, and ß-endosulfan were observed during bioaccumulation factor analysis, and the results show the following trend: atrazine > ΣBHC > ΣDDT > Σchlordane > Σendosulfan > Σendrin. As earthworms are a crucial component of this region's food chains, bioaccumulation of pesticide residues in earthworms can pause adverse consequences. Increasing trends in pesticide application in the KAE and bioaccumulation of pesticide residues in earthworm biomass can affect the entire food web.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in human breast milk from Colombia: A probabilistic risk assessment approach.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) are ubiquitous environmental contaminants. They were produced in relatively large volumes in the last century and are now subject to long-term monitoring and regulated under the United Nations Stockholm Convention (SC) on persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Though restricted, human exposure is still a concern and in some regions of the globe the information on the health risk is limited. Sixty breast milk samples from nursing mothers were collected between 2014 and 2015, residing in Bogota, Cartagena, and Medellin, which are industrialized cities in Colombia. This is the first comprehensive study to determine the concentrations in breast milk of PBDEs (n = 7), PCBs (n = 29), and OCPs (n = 28) in Colombia. The detection frequency of POPs, including BDE-47, CB-138, CB-153, CB-156, and CB-180, as well as several OCPs such as chloroneb, aldrins, HCHs, DDTs, and heptachlor, was found to be 100% in all samples tested. The mean concentrations of the analyzed legacy POPs were ∑3DDTs (423 ng/g lw) > chloroneb (50.1 ng/g lw) > ∑2permetrins (17.5 ng/g lw) > ∑2aldrins (16.7 ng/g lw) > 29 PCBs (15.04 ng/g lw) > ∑2chlordanes (CHLs) (11.2 ng/g lw) ≈ ∑3endosulfans (11.1 ng/g lw) > ∑2heptachlors (2.43 ng/g lw) > 7PBDEs (2.1 ng/g lw) > ∑4HCHs (0.58 ng/g lw). The results of this study suggest that the concentrations of DDTs were present in breast milk samples from Colombia at levels comparable to those found in previous studies conducted in other countries such as Brazil, Uruguay, Chile, and various Asian countries. The concentrations of PBDE and PCB congeners, as well as many pesticides, were found to be significantly correlated with each other. This suggests that these substances may have similar sources of exposure. The strength of the pair correlation among concentrations of POPs was assessed using Spearman's correlation coefficients, which varied from r = 0.62 for the association between BDE-47 and CB-153, to a high correlation of 0.99 for the correlation between γ-Chlordane and heptachlor. This suggests that these POPs may share similar sources, such as diet. An exposure assessment model obtained by Monte Carlo simulation showed that infants were exposed to low concentrations of POPs with exception of p,p'-DDE and Aldrin, in which 25th, 50th and 95th percentiles were greater than the threshold reference values of non-carcinogenic effects suggested by US-EPA regulations while the 90th percentile of pg TEQ/Kg-bw/day for dl-PCBs was above of the tolerable daily intake (TDI) proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO). Therefore, the health risk of infants exposed to OCPs and dl-PCBs should be exanimated continually through biomonitoring programs in the Colombian population.

Ecological and human health hazards; integrated risk assessment of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) from the Chenab River, Pakistan.

Carcinogenic hazards to human health were investigated through oral and dermal exposure to organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) from water samples (n = 120) of River Chenab, Pakistan. The Pioneering study aimed to employ an integrated geographic information system (GIS) based geostatistical method for the determination of pollution load by GC-ECD from water of River Chenab. The residual levels of OCPs detected from water samples ranged from 0.54 to 122 ng L-1 with significant prevalence of DDE and α-HCH. Results of the Nemerrow pollution index (NeI), single pollution index (SPI), and comprehensive pollution index (CPI) reflected the downstream zone a stern pollution risk zone. The spatial distribution pattern through geostatistical approaches also revealed significantly higher (p < 0.05) OCP levels in the downstream zone. Risk quotient (RQCCC) of surface water quality with respect to heptachlor epitomized a high level of risk (RQCCC > 1). Non-carcinogenic human health risk (Σ HQ) assessment ranged from 8.39 × 10-9 to 1.7 × 10-3, which represented a marginal risk through oral and dermal exposure. However, carcinogenic risks by oral exposure route were ranged from 3.57 × 10-11 to 4.46 × 10-6. Estimated cancer risk (ΣCR) exhibited a considerable carcinogenic risk posed by heptachlor, α-HCH and dieldrin. It is suggested to employ an immediate mitigation strategy for the constant discharge of OCPs in the studied area.

Validation of a Modified QuEChERS Method for the Determination of Selected Organochlorine Compounds in Honey.

Honey is considered to be a health-promoting food product. Therefore, it is assumed that it should be free of contaminants. Although the use of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) was banned a few decades ago in developed countries, persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are still detected in various environmental and biological matrices, including food. These contaminants exhibit toxic properties and bioaccumulate in some food chains. The validation of a modified QuEChERS extraction method was successfully performed for o,p'-DDT, o,p'-DDE, o,p'-DDD, p,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDE, p,p'-DDD, heptachlor and dieldrin. 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexachlorobiphenyl (PCB 153) was used as an internal standard. The modification involved changing the solvent from acetonitrile to n-hexane after extraction. Quantitation was carried out using gas chromatography with an electron capture detector (µECD). The mean recovery values for o,p'-DDT, o,p'-DDE, o,p'-DDD, p,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDE, p,p'-DDD and dieldrin, spiked at 2.9 ng/g and 20 ng/g, ranged from 64.7% to 129.3%, and, for heptachlor spiked at 5.6 ng/g and 20 ng/g, ranged from 68.0% to 88.3%. The relative standard deviation (RSD) for these concentrations did not exceed 20%, and the within-laboratory reproducibility was below 20%, except o,p'-DDE and p,p'-DDT, which were 25.2% and 20.7%, respectively. This modified QuEChERS extraction method for selected organochlorine compounds was demonstrated as effective for routine testing in honey.

Occurrence, sources, and spatial variation of POPs in a mountainous tropical drinking water supply basin by passive sampling.

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are widely distributed along the world and their levels in surface waters may pose a risk to human health due to consumption of contaminated water or fish long-term exposure to contaminated water. The occurrence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in the Piedras river (Colombia) is a problem of serious concern since freshwater is conducted to a drinking water supply system that provides more than 3 million users. In this research, we deployed silicone rubber membranes as passive samplers in two sampling campaigns at seven sampling stations selected along the river, to assess sources and spatial variation of POPs. The measurements confirmed freely dissolved concentration of the EPA prioritized PAHs (excluding naphthalene), PCBs, heptachlor isomers, dieldrin, endosulfan isomers, among other POPs at trace levels in the water source. The Risk Quotient (RQ) method was applied to prioritize POPs with the highest potential toxicity over aquatic ecosystems. The OCP Heptachlor overcome RQ, while Dieldrin and Endosulfan, and some PAHs congeners such as Perylene, Pyrene, Benzo[a]pyrene, and Fluoranthene displayed medium-risk RQ. Significant differences between sampling stations assessed by One-way ANOVA suggested that the main PAHs and PCBs sources to the river were the punctual discharge from the WWTP and a leachate discharge form a landfill located in the study area. Additionally, nonpoint sources of OCPs were identified. Our results showed that the origin of PAHs and PCBs are associated with urban activities, while the contribution of OCPs is related to the presence of legacy pesticides from past usage in agricultural activities in the basin.

Health risk of consuming Sphoeroides spp. from the Navachiste Lagoon complex due to its trace metals and organochlorine pesticides content.

The Navachiste complex (NAV) is impacted by neighbored human activities and is located in the southwestern coastal zone of the Gulf of California. The study determines the trace metal (TM) and organochlorine pesticides (OCP) health risk content in the edible tissue of Sphoeroides spp. from NAV. The daily intakes (EDI), target hazard quotient (THQ), hazard index (HI), and carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks were calculated. Twenty OCP and seven TM were detected. Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, and Zn were above MRLs. The γ‒Chlordane was the most frequent OCP. The highest average concentration was for α‒HCH, followed by γ‒chlordane. With the high ratios of γ‒HCH, p, p'‒ DDD and p, p'‒DDD, and the absence of p, p'‒ DDT, the higher ratios for dieldrin and endrin than for aldrin, α‒ chlordane, γ‒chlordane, heptachlor, and heptachlor epoxide indicates historical contamination. In contrast, the residual products of methoxychlor, endosulfan, and its isomers indicate endosulfan's recent use. The TM EDI, THQ > 1 (at 120 g day-1), and the ILCR (> 1 × 10-6) were above minimum levels, showing a high-risk potential for cancer development in the long term.

Accumulation of organochlorine pesticide (OCP) residues in surface water and sediment from the Iznik Lake in Turkey.

This study was carried out to evaluate organochlorinated pesticide (OCPs) concentrations in the water column and sediments of Iznik Lake. Water samples and sediment were collected in different regions (six sampling sites) of the lake between January and December 2019 and tested for OCPs by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The results revealed that OCP residues throughout the sites varied depending on the anthropogenic activities of the region. OCPs detected in surface waters ranged from 0.01 to 60.80 µg/L and sediments from 0.06 to 14.21 ng/g dw. Endrin ketone, endrin aldehyde, endosulfan II, endrin, heptachlor epoxy, beta-BHC, gamma-BHC, ppDDD, and ppDDT concentrations exceeded the maximum residue limits indicated by the World Health Organization (WHO) for surface waters. Of the 18 analyzed OCP components, 17 were detected in sediment samples, and it was noted that they reached the highest concentration in summer. The presence of relatively high OCP levels according to WHO regulations in the waters of Iznik Lake, around which agricultural activities have been increasing rapidly in recent years, is a serious concern, and therefore, appropriate actions should be taken into consideration by the regulatory authorities.

Characteristics and Residual Health Risk of Organochlorine Pesticides in Fresh Vegetables in the Suburb of Changchun, Northeast China.

In this study, eleven organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in fresh vegetables in the Changchun suburb were investigated, and their potential health risks were evaluated. The average concentrations of OCPs in edible parts of vegetables were found in the following descending order: Σhexachlorocyclohexanes (ΣHCHs) (6.60 µg·kg-1) > Σdichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (ΣDDTs) (5.82 µg·kg-1) > ΣChlordanes (2.37 µg·kg-1) > heptachlor (0.29 µg·kg-1). Moreover, OCPs in different types of vegetables exceeded the maximum residue limits (MRLs), and the exceeding rates in various vegetables decreased in the following order: leafy vegetables (19.12%) > root vegetables (18.75%) > fruit vegetables (3.85%). The proportions of OCPs exceeding MRL in different vegetables were found in the following descending order: Welsh onion (22.50%) > radish (18.75%) > Chinese cabbage (14.29%) > pepper (6.90%) > cucumber (3.23%) > eggplant (2.94%) > tomato (2.78%). The sources' identification results showed that DDTs in vegetables came mainly from newly imported technical DDTs and dicofol, while HCHs originated mainly from lindane. For both adults and children, the average target hazard quotients (avg. THQ) were all less than 1, and the average hazard index (avg. HI) values were 0.043 and 0.036, respectively. There were no significant health risks associated with OCP exposure for the inhabitants of the study area.

Organochlorine pesticides induce epithelial as well as inflammatory mediators following exposure to human ovarian surface epithelial cells: An in vitro study.

Although studies have suggested organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) exposure increased the risk of epithelial ovarian cancer, the mechanisms underlying its potential tumorigenic effects in the human ovary are not well understood. In this study, we investigated the impact of dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), endosulfan, and heptachlor exposure on epithelial cadherin (E-cadherin) and proinflammatory mediators in human ovary surface epithelial (HOSE) cells. We found that DDE, endosulfan, and heptachlor exposure resulted in epithelial differentiation accompanied by upregulation of E-cadherin expression and overexpression of proinflammatory cytokines (TNFα, IL-1ß, and IL-6) in HOSE cells. The epithelial differentiation may accelerate HOSE cells to inclusion body formation, a common site for ovarian cancer initiation and persistent exposure to OCPs creates a chronic inflammatory microenvironment that may promote the neoplastic transformation of HOSE cells within the inclusion cyst.

Volatile organic compounds in water matrices: Recent progress, challenges, and perspective.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are a group of organic compounds that have a molecular structure containing carbon and their chemical properties allow them to be easily converted to steam and gas and remain for a long period of time and have diverse effects on the environment. The purpose of this study is determination of the concentration of VOCs such as alachlor, anthracene, benzene, bromoform, chloroform, heptachlor, isophorone, tetrachloroethylene, γ -chlordane, toluene, etc. in water matrices. The results showed that among studies conducted on VOCs, the concentration of tetrachloroethylene, m,p-xylene, and toluene were at the top in water matrices, and the lowest average concentrations were found in chloroform, anthracene, and butyl benzyl phthalate. In terms of VOC concentrations in water matrices, China was the most polluted country. Moreover, the data analysis indicated that China was the only country with carcinogenic risk. A Monte-Carlo simulation showed that although the averages obtained were comparable to the acceptable limits, for heptachlor, the maximum carcinogenic risk is achieved at a level that is slightly over the limit, only 25% from the population being exposed.

A First Record of Organochlorine Pesticides in Barn Owls (Tyto alba) from Portugal: Assessing Trends from Variation in Feather and Liver Concentrations.

We evaluated feathers as a non-destructive biomonitoring tool documenting organochlorine pesticides (OCP) in liver and checked possible trends in pesticide use in two areas based on OCP concentrations in barn owls (Tyto alba). We measured the concentrations of 16 OCP in 15 primary feathers and 15 livers from barn owl carcasses collected on roadsides in Tagus Valley and Évora regions, south Portugal. Total OCP mean concentration was 8 120 ng g-1 in feathers and 178 ng g-1 in livers. All compounds were detected in feathers while in livers δ-HCH, endosulfan sulphate, p,p'-DDT and p,p'-DDD were not detected. The high ß-HCH and heptachlor concentrations in feathers most likely derived from external endogenous contamination. P,p'-DDE was the OCP with the highest hepatic concentration. Both matrices indicated an exposure to recently released heptachlor. The differing OCP concentrations between Tagus Valley and Évora seem to reflect differences in land-use and pesticide use histories of the two locations, and/or faster degradation of OCP in the Tagus area.

Multi-residue determination of pesticides in vegetables and assessment of human health risks in Western Himalayan region of India.

This study was aimed to determine pesticides concentrations in fresh vegetables and assess human health risks in North-Western Himalayan region of India. Vegetable samples (n = 300) collected randomly from different agro-climatic zones were analyzed for 19 pesticides using gas chromatography. Pesticide residues were detected in 116 samples, of which 49 samples exceeded maximum permissible limits established by European Commission. Hexaconazole was most frequently detected in 9.3% samples followed by aldrin (8.3%), alachlor (5.3%), bifenthrin (4.3%), chlorpyrifos (3.7%), metribuzin (2.7%), ß-endosulfan, ethion, ß-HCH (2%, each), γ-HCH (1.3%), α-HCH, δ-HCH, malathion, heptachlor (1%, each), and α-endosulfan, pendimethalin in 0.7% samples. Human health risk assessment revealed that the percent contribution to acceptable daily intakes of pesticides via dietary intake of vegetables ranged from 0.014 to 39.4% in children and 0.003 to 9.85% in adults. Although hazard index values were < 1 but considering the concentrations of detected pesticide in samples, children were found to be at more risk. Since pragmatic investigations on occurrence of pesticides in vegetables and human health risk assessment from study area have not yet been worked out, so, this study highlights the importance of adopting good agricultural practices, awareness on food safety, monitoring of harmful chemicals in food commodities, and execution of food safety regulations to safeguard environmental and human health.

Exposure patterns, chemical structural signatures, and health risks of pesticides in breast milk: A multicenter study in China.

China is the world's largest pesticide user. These chemicals are bioaccumulative in the human body, and eventually could be transferred from the mother to the fetus/infant via placental and breastfeeding transport, which might pose developmental deficiency risks. In this study, human biomonitoring of legacy pesticides was conducted in three Chinese cities using 60 breast milk samples. The patterns, chemical structural signatures, and the estimated daily intake of pesticides were assessed. The median concentration of HCB (57.8 ng g-1 lw, Interquartile range: 28.5-76.9 ng g-1 lw) was the highest among all pesticides, whereas the HCHs, DDXs, TCVP, and heptachlor were also detected. A significantly different pattern of pesticides was found among three sampling cities: the Mianyang cases were mostly DDXs oriented while the Wuhan and Hangzhou cases were under HCB, HCHs, TCVP, and heptachlor influences. Maternal age and pre-pregnancy BMI were found to be the influencing factors for the pesticides in the breast milk, and dietary preferences were an important factor in the exposure scenario. Chemical structural signatures indicated that for HCHs and DDXs the exposure was mostly historical, while the lindane and dicofol exposure may exist among the volunteering mothers. The EF for chiral pesticides did not deviate significantly from the racemic value. The risk from breastfeeding was negligible according to the Chinese and UN standard, while some cases from Hangzhou and Wuhan exceeded the Canadian restrictions. Thus, the adverse health effects of chemical exposure by dietary intake for infants need to be closely monitored in future studies.

Agricultural pesticide residues in water from a karstic aquifer in Yucatan, Mexico, pose a risk to children's health.

Yucatan is a region with a high impact of water contamination since it has a karst type soil favoring contaminants entry into the phreatic level, the only source of freshwater in the area. However, no studies report pesticides in water for human consumption or the risk it represents. The objective of this study was to detect and measure pesticide concentrations in domestic tap water to estimate the risk (carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic) to health. A non-probabilistic sampling was applied of 48 tap water sources, and then pesticide detection with solid-phase extraction gas chromatography coupled to the electron capture and flame photometric detectors allowed the estimation of risk through hazard ratios. The present results suggest that aldrin, heptachlor, and ß-BHC residues in domestic tap water from Ticul, Yucatan, pose a risk to children's health, particularly for potential carcinogenic risks.

Exposure to organochlorine pesticides as a predictor to breast cancer: A case-control study among Ethiopian women.

Breast cancer (BC) is becoming one of the most prevalent non-infectious disease in low and middle income countries. The steady rise of BC incidence may be related to the different risk factors. Among many, rampant presence of environmental pollutants might be one of the risk factors. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate exposure to organochlorine pesticides as a risk factor to breast cancer. A case-control study design was employed among breast cancer patients and non-breast cancer individuals (controls). Blood samples were collected from 100 study participants (50 cases and 50 controls) followed by serum separation, extraction and cleanup using standard analytical procdures. The findings revealed that ten organochlorine pesticides were detected in the serum of the study participants. From the detected organochlorine pesticides, heptachlor was observed at higher concentration for breast cancer patients (6.90±4.37 µg/L) and controls (9.15±3.84 µg/L). Mean serum level of p,p'-DDE, p,p'-DDT, heptachlor, gamma-chlordane, endosulfan, and dibutyl-chlorendate were significantly higher in the serum of breast cancer patients than the controls. From the studied pesticides, p,p'-DDT and gamma-chlordane are significant predictors for BC, while, others are equivocal. A unit increment of the concentration of p,p'-DDT (AOR; 2.03, 95% CI: 1.041-3.969) increased the odds of developing breast cancer by two, while for gamma-chlordane (AOR;3.12, 95% CI; 1.186-8.203) by three. Our study results suggesting that, organochlorines are a risk factors for breast cancer in Ethiopia. Decreasing exposure to such organochlorines might have a significant public health relevance in reducing non-communicable chronic illnesses. Besides, continues monitoring of persistent organic pollutants using body biomarkers is important for disease prevention and device mitigation measures.

Contamination of Foods from Cameroon with Residues of 20 Halogenated Pesticides, and Health Risk of Adult Human Dietary Exposure.

(1) Background: Halogenated pesticides are abundantly used in Cameroon, but there is no information on the health risk of consumers from exposure to their residues in foods. (2) Methods: Residues of 20 halogenated pesticides were determined in 11 agricultural products collected in the 3 largest cities of Cameroon using QuEChERS extraction and gas chromatography with electron capture detector (GC-ECD), and health risk from dietary exposure was assessed. (3) Results: Organochlorines pesticides aldrin, p,p'-dichlorodiphenyl-trichloroethane (DDT) and ß-hexachlorocyclohexane (ß-HCH) found in 85.0%, 81.9% and 72.5% of samples, respectively, were the most frequently detected. The highest average concentrations of residues were 1.12, 0.74 and 0.39 mg/kg for methoxychlor, alachlor and ß-HCH, respectively, found in chilli pepper. Chili pepper (58.9%), cowpea (56.8%), black beans (56.5%) and kidney beans (54.0%) exhibited the highest residue occurrences. Levels above the European Union maximum residue limits (MRLs) were found for all the 20 pesticides, in 40.1% of the positive analyses, and the food samples contained 14 pesticides banned in Cameroon. Chronic, acute, cumulative and carcinogenic risk assessments revealed that lifetime consumption of maize, black beans, kidney beans, groundnuts and chili pepper contaminated with aldrin, dieldrin, endrin, HCB, heptachlor, o,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDD, p,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDE and ß-HCH, could pose health risks. (4) Conclusion: These results show that there is an urgent need of pesticide usage regulation, effective application of pesticide bans and management of obsolete pesticide stocks in Cameroon.