-
Author
-
Bobo, Simbarashe Jamaine.
-
Title
-
Evaluation of human health hazards associated by summer-produced pesticide applied tomatoes. A case study on Goromonzi district
-
Abstract
-
Tomato is an essential constituent of human day to day diet due to its nutritional benefits. Since
it is susceptible to pest infestation, the use of pesticides during production is inevitable so as to
safeguard the crop and protect its economic value to the farmer. However, the usage of
pesticides has reportedly raised health issues. This investigation was done to evaluate the
methods used to apply pesticides and the amounts of residue found in Goromonzi District
tomatoes after harvest. Using a systematic interviewing process, 36 farmers were questioned,
and 40 tomato samples were collected from 36 farmers for laboratory examination. SPSS
version 16.0 was used to analyse the data. Six insecticides and five fungicides were employed
in the research region, according to the findings. There have been reports of non-recommended
methods for applying pesticides including combining non-compatible pesticides, hasty preharvest intervals, and the use of ineffective personal protection equipment such as dust masks
in place of respirators. Dizziness (50%), fatigue (38.89%), chest pain and respiratory tract
irritation (both had 33.33%) and headache (30.56%) were among the reported health problems.
The chemical part was done starting with extraction using quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged,
and safe (QuEChERS) methods where seven pesticides (Profenofos, Chlorpyrifos,
Cypermethrin, Endrin, Lambdacyhalothrin, Sulphur, and Chlorothalonil) were detected in analysed tomato samples using Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry. The samples had unexpectedly Endrin residues found during laboratory examination. The analysis of fortified
samples revealed that Profenofos residues were highest in the peels at day one and in pulp after
six days. Only 17.1% of the Profenofos residues were lost after washing the tomato, which did
not have a substantial impact. Depending on the kind of pesticides and the initial pesticide
levels before peeling, tomato peeling reduced pesticide contamination by 35–100%.
Ultimately, all of the samples had lower health risk scores, but over time, consuming tomatoes
that have been exposed to pesticides at low levels would result in higher systemic
concentrations. According to this study, farmers should adhere to the pesticide application
recommendations, including the pre-harvest waiting period and safety precautions. To further
lower pesticide residual levels, customers should peel tomatoes. Endrin is not registered in
Zimbabwe, hence more research should be done to determine its origin.
-
Date
-
2023
-
Publisher
-
BUSE
-
Keywords
-
Human health hazards
-
Pesticide use
-
Tomato production
-
Supervisor
-
Mutsengi, K
Bobo - Crop.pdf