Organochlorine Pesticide Residue Levels in Parts of Watermelon Grown in the Ada-West District of Greater Accra Region, Ghana and Its Related Human Health Risks

Abstract

The study involved the use of soxhlet apparatus and CP-3800 Gas Chromatograph equipped with a 63Ni electron capture detector to investigate the presence and levels of organochlorine pesticide (OCP) residues in sampled parts of watermelon. The study revealed the presence of fifteen OCPs residues in the peel, pulp and seeds of watermelon from the selected communities in the Ada-West District of the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. Most of the OCP residues investigated were below the limit of detection of 0.01 µg/kg. Detectable OCP residues whose concentrations were above detection limit were dieldrin and p, p’-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethene (p,p'–DDE). The seeds of watermelon from Koluedor recorded the highest level of 2.10 µg/kg of p’p-DDE while the lowest level of 0.20 µg/kg of dieldrin and p’p-DDE were recorded in the peel of watermelon from Sege. The mean levels of the detected pesticide residues in peel, pulp and seeds of watermelon were also below maximum residue limits (MRLs) set by European Union (EU). Estimated daily intake (EDI) of organochlorine pesticide residues as a result of consumption of the studied watermelon for children ranged from 0.001 µg/kg to 0.006 µg/kg and those for adults were from 0.0005 µg/kg to 0.003 µg/kg. EDIs values obtained were however, far below reference doses (RFDs) recommended by United State Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA).