Safety Chemical Residues of Protected Crops against Insect Pest Infestation on Health Care Delivery and Environment, a Review

Abstract

The use of pesticides for effective pests control has generated a lot of concerns relating to public health and environmental pollution. Nigerian cocoa production is still dependent on pesticides to attain acceptable levels of crop production. Kola nuts need no further processing before consumption hence little or no chemical residue therein will be acceptable, perhaps sparingly chemical should be used for storage pests. The screening of new insecticides, fungicides and herbicides, new spraying pumps are usually evaluated by the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), for their efficiency before they are recommended for use in the application of cocoa pesticides and spraying equipment in Nigeria. Accordingly, Article 12 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has reviewed the maximum residue levels (MRLs) currently established at European level for the pesticide active substance like chlorpyrifos. Therefore, to assess the concentration of chlorpyrifos residues in plants, processed commodities and rotational crops EFSA considered the conclusions derived in the framework of Directive 91/414/EEC, the MRL s established by the Codex Alimentarius Commission. However, the indices to national Maximum Residue Level (MRL) regulations on pesticides affecting agricultural and food trade were employed using a science-based criteria embodied in Codex Alimentarius international standards. The consumer risk assessment is considered and measures for reduction of the consumer exposure were also considered.