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Jonathan JWA, Kabotso DEK, Essumang DK, Bentum JK, Gborgblorvor IR, Kpodo FM, Ofosu-Koranteng F, Lotse CW, Hlorlewu ND. Investigating the levels of organochlorine pesticides in human milk at three lactational stages: an intensive Ghanaian study. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2024; 196:239. [PMID: 38321261 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-024-12404-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
During breastfeeding, the human breasts secrete three different kinds of milk. Research indicates that newborns exposed to organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) during developmental stages, even at low concentrations, may suffer irreparable harm. The study aimed to ascertain whether OCPs levels in human milk vary across lactational stages. University of Health and Allied Sciences Research Ethics Committee (UHAS- REC) examined and approved the study protocol. 47 volunteers were chosen using purposive sampling. Each participant donated 15 ml of each type of breast milk. Colostrum was taken shortly after delivery up to day 4, transitional milk between day 5 and two weeks postpartum, while mature milk was taken two weeks afterwards. A modified version of QuEChERS was used to process 10.0 g aliquot of each breast milk sample, and the resulting extracts analysed for OCPs employing a Gas Chromatograph, Varian CP 3800, fitted with electron capture detector (ECD). The detection threshold was not reached for any of the six OCPs tested. This implied that none of the breast milk components analysed in this study contained any detectable levels of OCPs that might have posed any serious health risks to the infants through breastfeeding. Aldrin, chlordane, DDT, dieldrin, endrin, and heptachlor were not found in detectable quantities in mothers' milk during the three stages of lactation. Our findings are encouraging. The study's findings likely show that the Stockholm Convention's campaign to remove POPs from the environment seems to be yielding positive impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justice Wiston Amstrong Jonathan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cape, UCC, Cape Coast, Ghana.
- Department of Basic Sciences, School of Basic and Biomedical Sciences, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana.
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Allied Health Sciences, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana.
- Department of Public Health Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana.
| | - Daniel Elorm Kwame Kabotso
- Department of Basic Sciences, School of Basic and Biomedical Sciences, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Allied Health Sciences, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana
- Department of Public Health Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana
| | | | | | | | - Fidelis M Kpodo
- Department of Basic Sciences, School of Basic and Biomedical Sciences, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Allied Health Sciences, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana
- Department of Public Health Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana
| | | | - Comfort Worna Lotse
- Department of Basic Sciences, School of Basic and Biomedical Sciences, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Allied Health Sciences, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana
- Department of Public Health Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana
| | - Norkplim Dei Hlorlewu
- Department of Nursing Services, Ho Teaching Hospital, Ho, Ghana
- Labour Ward, Ho Teaching Hospital, Ho, Ghana
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White KB, Kalina J, Scheringer M, Přibylová P, Kukučka P, Kohoutek J, Prokeš R, Klánová J. Temporal Trends of Persistent Organic Pollutants across Africa after a Decade of MONET Passive Air Sampling. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:9413-9424. [PMID: 33095578 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c03575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
The Global Monitoring Plan of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) was established to generate long-term data necessary for evaluating the effectiveness of regulatory measures at a global scale. After a decade of passive air monitoring (2008-2019), MONET is the first network to produce sufficient data for the analysis of long-term temporal trends of POPs in the African atmosphere. This study reports concentrations of 20 POPs (aldrin, chlordane, chlordecone, DDT, dieldrin, endrin, endosulfan, HBCDD, HCB, HCHs, heptachlor, hexabromobiphenyl, mirex, PBDEs, PCBs, PCDDs, PCDFs, PeCB, PFOA, and PFOS) monitored in 9 countries (Congo, Ghana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mali, Mauritius, Morocco, Nigeria, and Sudan). As of January 1, 2019, concentrations were in the following ranges (pg/m3): 0.5-37.7 (∑6PCB), 0.006-0.724 (∑17PCDD/F), 0.05-5.5 (∑9PBDE), 0.6-11.3 (BDE 209), 0.1-1.8 (∑3HBCDD), 1.8-138 (∑6DDT), 0.1-24.3 (∑3endosulfan), 0.6-14.6 (∑4HCH), 9.1-26.4 (HCB), 13.8-18.2 (PeCB). Temporal trends indicate that concentrations of many POPs (PCBs, DDT, HCHs, endosulfan) have declined significantly over the past 10 years, though the rate was slow at some sites. Concentrations of other POPs such as PCDD/Fs and PBDEs have not changed significantly over the past decade and are in fact increasing at some sites, attributed to the prevalence of open burning of waste (particularly e-waste) across Africa. Modeled airflow back-trajectories suggest that the elevated concentrations at some sites are primarily due to sustained local emissions, while the low concentrations measured at Mt. Kenya represent the continental background level and are primarily influenced by long-range transport.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin B White
- RECETOX, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jiří Kalina
- RECETOX, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Scheringer
- RECETOX, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
- Institute of Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Petra Přibylová
- RECETOX, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Kukučka
- RECETOX, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jiří Kohoutek
- RECETOX, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Roman Prokeš
- RECETOX, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jana Klánová
- RECETOX, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
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Wania F, Shunthirasingham C. Passive air sampling for semi-volatile organic chemicals. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2020; 22:1925-2002. [PMID: 32822447 DOI: 10.1039/d0em00194e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
During passive air sampling, the amount of a chemical taken up in a sorbent from the air without the help of a pump is quantified and converted into an air concentration. In an equilibrium sampler, this conversion requires a thermodynamic parameter, the equilibrium sorption coefficient between gas-phase and sorbent. In a kinetic sampler, a time-averaged air concentration is obtained using a sampling rate, which is a kinetic parameter. Design requirements for kinetic and equilibrium sampling conflict with each other. The volatility of semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) varies over five orders of magnitude, which implies that passive air samplers are inevitably kinetic samplers for less volatile SVOCs and equilibrium samplers for more volatile SVOCs. Therefore, most currently used passive sampler designs for SVOCs are a compromise that requires the consideration of both a thermodynamic and a kinetic parameter. Their quantitative interpretation depends on assumptions that are rarely fulfilled, and on input parameters, that are often only known with high uncertainty. Kinetic passive air sampling for SVOCs is also challenging because their typically very low atmospheric concentrations necessitate relatively high sampling rates that can only be achieved without the use of diffusive barriers. This in turn renders sampling rates dependent on wind conditions and therefore highly variable. Despite the overall high uncertainty arising from these challenges, passive air samplers for SVOCs have valuable roles to play in recording (i) spatial concentration variability at scales ranging from a few centimeters to tens of thousands of kilometers, (ii) long-term trends, (iii) air contamination in remote and inaccessible locations and (iv) indoor inhalation exposure. Going forward, thermal desorption of sorbents may lower the detection limits for some SVOCs to an extent that the use of diffusive barriers in the kinetic sampling of SVOCs becomes feasible, which is a prerequisite to decreasing the uncertainty of sampling rates. If the thermally stable sorbent additionally has a high sorptive capacity, it may be possible to design true kinetic samplers for most SVOCs. In the meantime, the passive air sampling community would benefit from being more transparent by rigorously quantifying and explicitly reporting uncertainty.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Wania
- Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, 1265 Military Trail, Toronto, Ontario M1C 1A4, Canada.
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Hendriks CMJ, Gibson HS, Trett A, Python A, Weiss DJ, Vrieling A, Coleman M, Gething PW, Hancock PA, Moyes CL. Mapping Geospatial Processes Affecting the Environmental Fate of Agricultural Pesticides in Africa. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:E3523. [PMID: 31547208 PMCID: PMC6801543 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16193523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Revised: 09/15/2019] [Accepted: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The application of agricultural pesticides in Africa can have negative effects on human health and the environment. The aim of this study was to identify African environments that are vulnerable to the accumulation of pesticides by mapping geospatial processes affecting pesticide fate. The study modelled processes associated with the environmental fate of agricultural pesticides using publicly available geospatial datasets. Key geospatial processes affecting the environmental fate of agricultural pesticides were selected after a review of pesticide fate models and maps for leaching, surface runoff, sedimentation, soil storage and filtering capacity, and volatilization were created. The potential and limitations of these maps are discussed. We then compiled a database of studies that measured pesticide residues in Africa. The database contains 10,076 observations, but only a limited number of observations remained when a standard dataset for one compound was extracted for validation. Despite the need for more in-situ data on pesticide residues and application, this study provides a first spatial overview of key processes affecting pesticide fate that can be used to identify areas potentially vulnerable to pesticide accumulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chantal M J Hendriks
- Big Data Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7LF, UK.
- Team Sustainable Soil Use, Wageningen Environmental Research, P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Harry S Gibson
- Big Data Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7LF, UK.
| | - Anna Trett
- Department of Vector Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK.
| | - André Python
- Big Data Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7LF, UK.
| | - Daniel J Weiss
- Big Data Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7LF, UK.
| | - Anton Vrieling
- Faculty of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC), University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands.
| | - Michael Coleman
- Department of Vector Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK.
| | - Peter W Gething
- Big Data Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7LF, UK.
| | - Penny A Hancock
- Big Data Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7LF, UK.
| | - Catherine L Moyes
- Big Data Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7LF, UK.
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Mohammed S, Lamoree M, Ansa-Asare OD, de Boer J. Review of the analysis of insecticide residues and their levels in different matrices in Ghana. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2019; 171:361-372. [PMID: 30616153 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2018.12.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2018] [Revised: 12/03/2018] [Accepted: 12/16/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
This review reports on how Ghanaian scientists analyse insecticide residues in various matrices in their laboratories as well as the levels of insecticides found in Ghana. It covers different sample preparation methods such as solid-liquid and liquid-liquid extraction. The main technique used for this analysis was gas chromatography (GC) with various detectors such as electron capture, flame photometric, nitrogen phosphorus, and mass spectrometric detection. Liquid chromatography (LC) with mass spectrometric detection was sometimes used to determine the levels of very polar insecticide residues. From the articles reviewed 74% of the insecticides detected were organochlorines with DDTs, lindanes, and endosulfans as most abundant ones. Levels of the insecticides of interest analysed, varied from below the detection limits to clearly above the safety limits. The lowest detected concentration of insecticide residues reported in fruits and vegetables was δ-lindane in pawpaw (0.06 mg/kg) while the highest was fenvalerate (25.6 mg/kg). Insecticide residues reported in sediment were predominantly organochlorines with concentrations ranging from 9.68 ng/kg to 10.98 µg/kg. Endosulfan and its metabolites were the main insecticides found in water bodies with concentrations ranging from 0.036 µg/L to 62.3 µg/L. DDT and its metabolites were the dominant insecticides found in human fluids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saada Mohammed
- Vrije Universiteit, Dep. Environment & Health, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands; CSIR Water Research Institute, P.O. Box 38, Achimota, Ghana.
| | - Marja Lamoree
- Vrije Universiteit, Dep. Environment & Health, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Jacob de Boer
- Vrije Universiteit, Dep. Environment & Health, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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Bruce-Vanderpuije P, Megson D, Reiner EJ, Bradley L, Adu-Kumi S, Gardella JA. The state of POPs in Ghana- A review on persistent organic pollutants: Environmental and human exposure. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2019; 245:331-342. [PMID: 30447476 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2018.10.107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2018] [Revised: 10/22/2018] [Accepted: 10/25/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Ghana is one of the top pesticide users and highest persistent organic pollutant (POP) emitters in sub-saharan Africa. Despite recent increases in published data, there is limited information on how POP concentrations have changed, post ratification of the Stockholm Convention. As a result, this review aims to address these knowledge gaps by collating available data that reported POPs in Ghanaian environmental matrices, identify spatial and temporal trends, and establish potential health risks. It is worth noting that Ghana has not developed its own regulatory standards for POPs, but adapts United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) standards. Results obtained showed concentrations in excess of USEPA regulatory standards for per- and poly-fluoroalkyl sulphonates (PFASs) and dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane (DDD) in water, polychlorinated and polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans (PCDD/Fs and PBDD/Fs) in e-waste soils, and polybrominated diphenyl ethers in aquatic organisms and dairy products. The published studies do not cover major regions nationwide. The inconsistency in methods and analytes measured, along with data scarcity in some regions, makes it challenging to identify temporal trends. However, the data did indicate decreasing concentrations of some legacy POPs in soil/sediment and aquatic organisms, with increasing concentrations of some POPs in water, fish, fruits and vegetables. Studies that performed health risks assessments were limited although the data indicated risks to e-waste workers, some farmers and vulnerable sub-populations. This review identified potential human health risks from POPs in the Ghanaian environment and the need for more consistent and widespread monitoring program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pennante Bruce-Vanderpuije
- Department of Chemistry, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, 14260, USA
| | - David Megson
- School of Science and the Environment, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
| | - Eric J Reiner
- Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change, Laboratory Services Branch, Toronto, ON, M9P 3V6, Canada
| | - Lee Bradley
- School of Science and the Environment, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
| | - Sam Adu-Kumi
- Environmental Protection Agency, P. O. Box MB 326, Ministries Post Office, Accra, Ghana
| | - Joseph A Gardella
- Department of Chemistry, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, 14260, USA.
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Isogai N, Hogarh JN, Seike N, Kobara Y, Oyediran F, Wirmvem MJ, Ayonghe SN, Fobil J, Masunaga S. Atmospheric monitoring of organochlorine pesticides across some West African countries. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2018; 25:31828-31835. [PMID: 27475438 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-016-7284-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2016] [Accepted: 07/18/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Most African countries have ratified the Stockholm Convention on persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and are expected to reduce emissions of POPs such as organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) to the atmosphere. Emerging evidence, however, suggests that there are contemporary sources of OCPs in African countries despite the global ban on these products. This study investigated the atmospheric contamination from OCPs in four West African countries-Togo, Benin, Nigeria, and Cameroon-to ascertain the emission levels of OCPs and the characteristic signatures of contamination. Polyurethane foam (PUF) disk passive air samplers (PAS) were deployed in each country for ca. 55 days in 2012 and analyzed for 25 OCPs. Hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs) and DDTs constituted the highest burden of atmospheric OCPs in the target countries, at average concentrations of 441 pg m-3 (range 23-2718) and 403 pg m-3 (range 91-1880), respectively. Mirex had the lowest concentration, ranged between 0.1 and 3.3 pg m-3. The concentration of OCPs in rainy season was higher than in dry season in Cameroon, and presupposed inputs from agriculture during the rainy season. The concentrations of ∑25 OCPs in each country were in the following order: Cameroon > Nigeria > Benin > Togo. There was significant evidence, based on chemical signatures of the contamination that DDT, aldrin, chlordane, and endosulfan were recently applied at certain sites in the respective countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nahomi Isogai
- Faculty of Environment and Information Sciences, Yokohama National University, 79-7 Tokiwadai, Hodogaya-ku, Yokohama, 240-8501, Japan
| | - Jonathan N Hogarh
- Department of Environmental Science, College of Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
| | - Nobuyasu Seike
- National Institute for Agro-Environmental Sciences, 3-1-3 Kannondai, Tsukuba, 305-8604, Japan
| | - Yuso Kobara
- National Institute for Agro-Environmental Sciences, 3-1-3 Kannondai, Tsukuba, 305-8604, Japan
| | - Femi Oyediran
- Environmental Laboratories Limited, P. O. Box 15104, Ikeja G.P.O., Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Mengnjo J Wirmvem
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Tokai University, Hiratsuka, 259-1211, Japan
| | - Samuel N Ayonghe
- Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, P. O. Box 63, Buea, Cameroon
| | - Julius Fobil
- Department of Biological, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
| | - Shigeki Masunaga
- Faculty of Environment and Information Sciences, Yokohama National University, 79-7 Tokiwadai, Hodogaya-ku, Yokohama, 240-8501, Japan
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Akomea-Frempong S, Ofosu IW, Owusu-Ansah EDGJ, Darko G. Health risks due to consumption of pesticides in ready-to-eat vegetables (salads) in Kumasi, Ghana. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD CONTAMINATION 2017. [DOI: 10.1186/s40550-017-0058-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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Yadav IC, Devi NL, Li J, Zhang G, Breivik K. Possible emissions of POPs in plain and hilly areas of Nepal: Implications for source apportionment and health risk assessment. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2017; 220:1289-1300. [PMID: 27866855 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2016.10.102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2016] [Revised: 10/28/2016] [Accepted: 10/31/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Ambient air is a core media chosen for monitoring under the Stockholm Convention on POPs. While extensive monitoring of POPs in ambient air has been carried out in some parts of the globe, there are still regions with very limited information available, such as some developing countries as Nepal. This study therefore aims to target the occurrence of selected POPs in Nepal in suspected source areas/more densely populated regions. Four potential source regions in Nepal were furthermore targeted as it was hypothesized that urban areas at lower altitudes (Birgunj and Biratnagar located at approximately 86 and 80 m.a.s.l.) would be potentially more affected by OCPs because of more intensive agricultural activities in comparison to urban areas at higher altitudes (Kathmandu, Pokhara located 1400 and 1135 m.a.s.l). As some of these areas could also be impacted by LRAT, air mass back trajectories during the sampling period were additionally evaluated using HYSPLIT. The concentrations of overall POPs were twice as high in plain areas in comparison to hilly areas. DDTs and HCHs were most frequently detected in the air samples. The high p,p'-DDT/(pp'-DDE + pp'-DDD) ratio as well as the low o,p'-DDT/p,p'-DDT ratio observed in this study was inferred as continuing use of technical DDT. High levels of ∑26PCBs were linked to proximity to highly urbanized and industrial areas, indicating the potential source of PCBs. The measured concentrations of legacy POPs in air from this study is assumed to represent a negligible health risk through inhalation of ambient air, however, other modes of human exposure could still be relevant in Nepal. The air mass backward trajectory analysis revealed that most of the air masses sampled originated from India and the Bay of Bengal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ishwar Chandra Yadav
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640, China.
| | | | - Jun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640, China
| | - Gan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640, China
| | - Knut Breivik
- Norwegian Institute for Air Research, Box 100, Kjeller, NO-2027, Norway; University of Oslo, Department of Chemistry, Box 1033, NO-0315, Oslo, Norway
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Quansah R, Bend JR, Abdul-Rahaman A, Armah FA, Luginaah I, Essumang DK, Iddi S, Chevrier J, Cobbina SJ, Nketiah-Amponsah E, Adu-Kumi S, Darko G, Afful S. Associations between pesticide use and respiratory symptoms: A cross-sectional study in Southern Ghana. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2016; 150:245-254. [PMID: 27318967 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2016.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2016] [Revised: 06/03/2016] [Accepted: 06/06/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Indiscriminate use of pesticides is a common practice amongst farmers in Low and Middle Income Countries (LMIC) across the globe. However, there is little evidence defining whether pesticide use is associated with respiratory symptoms. OBJECTIVES This cross-sectional study was conducted with 300 vegetable farmers in southern Ghana (Akumadan). Data on pesticide use was collected with an interviewed-administered questionnaire. The concentration of seven organochlorine pesticides and 3 pyrethroid pesticides was assayed in urine collected from a sub-population of 100 vegetable farmers by a gas chromatograph equipped with an electron capture detector (GC-ECD). RESULTS A statistically significant exposure-response relationship of years per day spent mixing/applying fumigant with wheezing [30-60 days/year: prevalence ratio (PR)=1.80 (95% CI 1.30, 2.50); >60days/year: 3.25 (1.70-6.33), p for trend=0.003] and hours per day spent mixing/applying fumigant with wheezing [1-2h/day: 1.20 (1.02-1.41), 3-5h/day: 1.45 (1.05-1.99), >5h/day: 1.74 (1.07-2.81), p for trend=0.0225]; days per year spent mixing/applying fungicide with wheezing [30-60 days/year: 2.04 (1.31-3.17); >60days/year: 4.16 (1.72-10.08), p for trend=0.0017] and h per day spent mixing/applying fungicide with phlegm production [1-2h/day: 1.25 (1.05-1.47), 3-5h/day: 1.55 (1.11-2.17), >5h/day: 1.93 (1.17-3.19), p for trend=0.0028] and with wheezing [1-2h/day: 1.10 (1.00-1.50), 3-5h/day: 1.20 (1.11-1.72), >5h/day: 1.32 (1.09-2.53), p for trend=0.0088]; h per day spent mixing/applying insecticide with phlegm production [1-2h/day: 1.23 (1.09-1.62), 3-5h/day: 1.51 (1.20-2.58), >5h/day: 1.85 (1.31-4.15), p for trend=0.0387] and wheezing [1-2h/day: 1.22 (1.02-1.46), 3-5h/day: 1.49 (1.04-2.12), >5h/day: 1.81 (1.07-3.08), p for trend=0.0185] were observed. Statistically significant exposure-response association was also observed for a combination of activities that exposes farmers to pesticide with all 3 respiratory symptoms. Furthermore, significant exposure-response associations for 3 organochlorine insecticides: beta-HCH, heptachlor and endosulfan sulfate were noted. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, vegetable farmers in Ghana may be at increased risk for respiratory symptoms as a result of exposure to pesticides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reginald Quansah
- Biological, Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana; Department of Immunology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana.
| | - John R Bend
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Siebens-Drake Medical Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, Canada
| | - Abukari Abdul-Rahaman
- Biological, Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Frederick Ato Armah
- Department of Environmental Science, School of Biological Sciences, College of Agriculture & Natural Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Isaac Luginaah
- Department of Geography, Western University, Ontario, Canada
| | - David Kofi Essumang
- Environmental Health Group, Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Samuel Iddi
- Department of Statistics, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Jonathan Chevrier
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Samuel Jerry Cobbina
- Department of Ecotourism and Environmental Management, Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources, University for Development Studies, Nyankpala, Ghana
| | | | - Samuel Adu-Kumi
- Chemicals Control and Management Centre, Environmental Protection Agency, Accra, Ghana
| | - Godfred Darko
- Department of Chemistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Samuel Afful
- Nuclear Chemistry and Environmental Research Centre, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, Accra, Ghana
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11
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Dang VD, Kroll KJ, Supowit SD, Halden RU, Denslow ND. Tissue distribution of organochlorine pesticides in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) from laboratory exposure and a contaminated lake. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2016; 216:877-883. [PMID: 27394080 PMCID: PMC5014564 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2016.06.061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2016] [Revised: 06/26/2016] [Accepted: 06/27/2016] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Tissue concentrations of persistent organochlorine pesticides in laboratory-exposed largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) and in bass collected from Lake Apopka, FL were determined by both total mass and lipid normalized mass to better understand the bioaccumulation pathways of contaminants. In the laboratory study, male bass were orally administered a single dose of a mixture of two pesticides (p,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (p,p'-DDE) and dieldrin) and then fed uncontaminated food for 28 days. Gastrointestinal tract, liver, brain, gonad, kidney, spleen, and muscle were collected for chemical analysis. Different profiles were observed by total contaminant mass in tissues compared to lipid normalized mass. On a lipid normalized basis, p,p'-DDE was highest in the gastrointestinal tract followed by the liver, gonad, spleen, muscle, kidney and then brain. Dieldrin, on the other hand, was highest in the gastrointestinal tract and spleen and then followed by the gonad, muscle, liver, kidney, and brain. Distribution of the chemicals among the organs differed by their log KOW values and generally followed the blood flow path after the gastrointestinal tract. The low contaminant levels found in kidney and brain suggest insufficient time for equilibration into these tissues, especially into the brain where the blood-brain barrier may be slow to traverse. In Lake Apopka fish, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (DDXs, sum of p,p'-DDE, p,p'-DDD, and p,p'-DDT), Drins (sum of aldrin, dieldrin, and endrin), and hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs) were found. For DDXs, the lipid normalized concentrations in each tissue were about the same, as predicted from theory. For Drins and HCHs, the lipid normalized concentrations were similar for kidney, spleen, brain, gonad and muscle, but much lower in the gastrointestinal tract and liver, probably because of metabolism occurring in those tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viet D Dang
- Department of Physiological Sciences and Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA.
| | - Kevin J Kroll
- Department of Physiological Sciences and Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Samuel D Supowit
- Biodesign Center for Environmental Security, The Biodesign Institute, Global Security Initiative and School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
| | - Rolf U Halden
- Biodesign Center for Environmental Security, The Biodesign Institute, Global Security Initiative and School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
| | - Nancy D Denslow
- Department of Physiological Sciences and Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
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12
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Okoffo ED, Fosu-Mensah BY, Gordon C. Persistent organochlorine pesticide residues in cocoa beans from Ghana, a concern for public health. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD CONTAMINATION 2016. [DOI: 10.1186/s40550-016-0028-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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13
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Fosu-Mensah BY, Okoffo ED, Darko G, Gordon C. Assessment of organochlorine pesticide residues in soils and drinking water sources from cocoa farms in Ghana. SPRINGERPLUS 2016; 5:869. [PMID: 27386318 PMCID: PMC4920806 DOI: 10.1186/s40064-016-2352-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2015] [Accepted: 05/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Residues of organochlorine pesticides were determined in soils and drinking water sources in cocoa growing areas in Ghana. Soil samples analysed showed the presence of four organochlorine pesticide residues namely lindane (0.005–0.05 mg/kg), beta-HCH (<0.01–0.05 mg/kg), dieldrin (0.005–0.02 mg/kg), and p,p′-DDT (0.005–0.04 mg/kg), with dieldrin occurring most frequently. Similarly, organochlorine pesticide residues detected in the water samples were lindane (0.01–0.03 µg/l), alpha-endosulfan (0.01–0.03 µg/l), endosulfan-sulphate (0.01–0.04 µg/l), dieldrin (0.01–0.03 µg/l) and p,p′-DDT (0.01–0.04 µg/l), with heptachlor occurring most frequently. The concentrations of the detected organochlorine residues in the soil samples were below their respective US maximum residues limits (MRLs) for agricultural soils, except for lindane recorded at Kwakuanya (S4) and beta-HCH recorded at Krakrom (S3) and Kwakuanya (S4). Similarly, the organochlorine pesticide residues recorded in the water samples were below and within their respective WHO MRLs for drinking water except for alpha-endosulfan at Diabaa (S2) and Kwakuanya (S4) at distance 0–15 m and Kwakuanya (S4) at distance 16–30 m, endosulfan-sulfate at Nkrankwanta (S1) and Diabaa (S2) at distance 0–15 m and heptachlor at Krakrom (S3) at distance 16–30 m which were above their WHO MRLs. The presence of the banned organochlorine pesticide residues in soil and water samples from the study area indicates that these chemicals are still being used, illegally, on some cocoa farms. Routine monitoring of pesticide residues in the study area is necessary for the prevention, control and reduction of environmental pollution to minimize health risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedicta Y Fosu-Mensah
- Institute for Environment and Sanitation Studies (IESS), University of Ghana, P. O. Box 209, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Elvis D Okoffo
- Institute for Environment and Sanitation Studies (IESS), University of Ghana, P. O. Box 209, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Godfred Darko
- Department of Chemistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Christopher Gordon
- Institute for Environment and Sanitation Studies (IESS), University of Ghana, P. O. Box 209, Legon, Accra, Ghana
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14
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Li Q, Lu Y, Jin J, Li G, Li P, He C, Wang Y. Comparison of using polyurethane foam passive samplers and tree bark samples from Western China to determine atmospheric organochlorine pesticide. J Environ Sci (China) 2016; 41:90-98. [PMID: 26969054 DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2015.05.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2015] [Revised: 05/06/2015] [Accepted: 05/12/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Polyurethane foam (PUF) passive samplers were deployed and tree bark samples were collected at 15 sites across western China in 2013, and the organochlorine pesticide (OCP) concentrations in the samples were determined. Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane and its degradation products (collectively called DDTs), hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs), and hexachlorobenzene (HCB) were the dominant OCPs in the PUF samples and tree bark samples. The mean DDTs, HCHs and HCB concentrations were 33, 22 and 18ng/sample in the PUF samples, and 428, 74, and 43ng/(g lipid weight (lw)) in the tree bark, respectively. The OCP concentrations in the air, calculated using PUF-air and tree-bark-air partitioning models, were of the same order of magnitude. Both sample types showed that relatively fresh inputs of DDT and HCHs to the environment have occurred in western China. Meanwhile, PUF passive samplers were compared with the use of tree bark samples as passive samplers. The OCP compositions in the PUF and tree bark samples were different. Only the relatively stable OCPs (such as HCB, β-HCH and p,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloro-ethylene (DDE)) were consistent in the PUF and tree bark samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuxu Li
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Yao Lu
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Jun Jin
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, China; Engineering Research Center for Food Environment and Health, Beijing 100081, China.
| | - Guangyao Li
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Peng Li
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Chang He
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Ying Wang
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, China
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