Cypermethrin pesticide contamination in some vegetables available in Kathmandu market

Abstract

This study was conducted in order to assess the pesticide (Cypermethrin) residue in some vegetables and examine the related human health risk. The purpose of this study was to investigate pesticide residue in vegetables from the Kathmandu market of Nepal. Total of 16 samples were collected from March 2018 to Nov 2019. The samples were analyzed to determine the concentration of pesticide residue. Cypermethrin is the most widely used pyrethroid pesticide to control many pests and is also most frequently detected pyrethroid in vegetables and fruits in Nepal. It interacts with the sodium channels in nerve cells through which sodium enters the cell in order to transmit a nerve signal. Symptoms of poisoning include abnormal facial sensations, dizziness, headache, nausea, anorexia and fatigue, vomiting and increased stomach secretion. Analysis was performed by gas-chromatography equipped with mass-spectrometry. In 13 of the tested samples, no residues were found while 3 samples contained pesticide residue 47.091, 118.334 and 306.103 ppb, respectively. Sample with residue is above maximum residue limit that is 200 ppb may pose health hazards to the consumers. It may be due to lack of awareness of farmer about the application dose, method of application and withholding period.