A review of environmental and health effects of organochlorine pesticide residues in Africa. (April 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Taiwo, Adewale Matthew
• Is Part Of: Chemosphere. Volume 220(2019)
• Page Start: 1126
• Page End: 1140
• Publication Date: 2019-04
• Subjects: Organochlorine -- Pesticides -- Human health -- Environmental impacts -- Risk assessment; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Physiological effect -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Periodicals; Atmospheric chemistry -- Periodicals; 551.511
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.01.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0045-6535

Abstract

Abstract: Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) are generally categorized as chlorinated cyclodienes, chlorodiphenylethanes, chlorinated benzenes and cyclohexanes. The presence of OCP residues in foodstuffs, water, soil, sediments, blood serum and air has generated a surge of global interest. This is due to their severe environmental and health ill-effects. OCPs are characteristically described as persistent and bio-accumulating substances prone to long-range transportation. The aim of this present study is to assess the environmental and health risks associated with OCP residues. Published works on OCPs in surface water, sediments and fish samples were reviewed. Possible non-carcinogenic (Hazard Quotient, HQ and Hazard Index, HI) and carcinogenic (Cancer Risk, CR) health effects of OCPs were assessed in fish samples. High concentrations of OCP residues were determined in environmental samples from African countries. The non-carcinogenic health assessment of OCPs in most fish samples from Nigeria revealed HI values greater than 1.0 establishing their adverse effects. The CR data of OCPs in fish samples also showed values higher than the permissible standard of 1.0 × 10 −4 indicating possible development of cancer through fish consumption. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Environmental and health effects of Organochlorine pesticides were discussed. The health risk assessment of OCPs in fish samples was evaluated. The OCP levels in environmental media suggest a 'global issue of concern'. The health risk data due to carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks were high.