Monitoring of Pesticide Contamination in the Rural Environment of India

Anand, Aakash (2014) Monitoring of Pesticide Contamination in the Rural Environment of India. Masters thesis, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata.

PDF (MS dissertation of Aakash Anand) Aakash_Anand_09ms_010_thesis.pdf - Submitted Version Restricted to Repository staff only Download (1MB)

Abstract

Background: In several elements of the planet, aside from agricultural use; deliberate indoor residual spraying (IRS) of dwellings with pesticides to manage protozoal infection transmission remains the sole viable possibility, thereby accidentally however inevitably additionally inflicting exposure to inhabitants. As a result of mothers area unit exposed to pesticides via varied routes, accumulated residues area unit transferred to infants via breast milk, in some cases olympian suggested intake levels. Aside from insecticide (DDT), safety of residues of alternative pesticides in breast milk has not been thought-about throughout World Health Organization Pesticide Evaluation Scheme (WHOPES) evaluations. However, little is thought of the health risks posed by these chemicals to infants World Health Organization, in developing countries; breast-feed for up to a pair of years. The dietary pathway is that the primary route of exposure to pesticides within the general population. Associate in nursing infant’s diet is comparatively restricted to breast milk or formula and baby food. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate pesticide residues in general population in Nadia district and comprehensive quantification of baby exposure through human breast milk. We focus on the pyrethroid group of pesticides and their residue in human breast milk and evaluated the need for WHOPES to include breast milk as a potentially significant route of exposure and risk to infants when evaluating the risks during evaluation of IRS insecticides and pesticides. Methods: A modified QuEChER’s extraction & GC-MS multi-residue method was used to evaluate the pesticide in the sample. Results: Major pesticides namely Tridemenol, DMP, Endosulphan, Pyridaben, Metribuzin DADK, Metribuzin DA, Aldicarb, Oxamyl , DEHP, Methoprene , Molinate , Allethrin-2, Jasmolin I, JasmolinII, Cinerin I , and Prehydrojasmon - II were tested positive and quantified in the milk samples. Out of these few are pyrethroid group of pesticides that are in general use now a days. Pyrethroid pesticides although having less residence time are been found in the sample; thus indicating about their long term existence in the human body. Conclusions: Taking the pyrethroids in focus we found that Allethrin, Jasmolin, Cinerin and Prehydrojasmon are detected in breast milk sample. Since pyrethroids are been seen as an alternative to OCPs and is believed to have no bioaccumulation, yet finding the residue in the breast milk (which is at the top of the food chain) is a matter of concern. The exposure to these pesticide may be attributed to their food habit which has fish as a regular item. Out of all women surveyed 80% said that they consume fish on daily basis, rest of them consumed on weekly basis 20%. Since pyrethroids were used for treatment from mosquitoes, so there lies a probability that the run-off of these pyrethroid pesticide may enter the human food chain through bio accumulation.

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