Imelda Imelda Gernauli Purba, Haryoto Kusnoputranto, Ririn Arminsih Wulandari, Budi Hartono

Environmental Health Risk Assessment of Consumption of Foodstuffs Containing Organophosphate Residues among Farmers

Introduction

Environmental health risk assessment of consumption of foodstuffs containing organophosphate residues among farmers. Assess health risks for farmers consuming foodstuffs with organophosphate pesticide residues. This Environmental Health Risk Assessment (EHRA) found non-carcinogenic risks from profenofos in tomatoes.

Abstract

The use of pesticides in the agricultural sector results in contamination of foodstuffs by pesticide residues, thus becoming a source of exposure to the body and resulting in health problems. The purpose of this study was to analyse the health risks due to the consumption of foodstuffs containing organophosphate residues in farmers. The design of this study was cross-sectional, employing the Environmental Health Risk Assessment (EHRA). The study population was farmers in the North Dempo District of Pagar Alam. A total of 117 farmers were sampled randomly. Environmental samples consisted of five red chilies and five tomatoes, which were selected purposively. Organophosphate residues were quantified using liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry. Body weight was measured using calibrated body scales. Activity pattern data were collected through interviews using a questionnaire. Data analysis was conducted using the EHRA formulas. The results demonstrated the presence of Chlorpyriphos in red chillies at a concentration of 3,05 mg/kg, while Profenofos was found at 0.0731 mg/kg and 0.0118 mg/kg. The presence of Chlorpyriphos in tomatoes samples at a concentration of 0.4439 mg/kg, while Profenofos was found at 0.0112 mg/kg and 0.2043 mg/kg. The risk quotient for consumption of red chillies containing Chlorpyriphos was found to be 0.0447, while that for Profenofos was 0.2476. The risk quotient for consumption of tomatoes containing Chlorpyriphos was found to be 0.0302, while that for Profenofos was 2.92. It can be concluded that respondents were at non-carcinogenic health risk due to consumption of tomatoes containing Profenofos.

Review

This study addresses a highly pertinent public health issue concerning the dietary exposure of farmers to organophosphate pesticide residues, a topic of significant importance given the direct involvement of this population in agricultural practices and their potential for heightened exposure. The research clearly articulates its objective to assess health risks from consuming contaminated foodstuffs, employing a robust Environmental Health Risk Assessment (EHRA) framework. The use of Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for quantifying pesticide residues is a commendable methodological strength, ensuring high sensitivity and specificity in the analytical measurements. The focus on a specific farmer population provides valuable localized insights into potential occupational and dietary risk factors. While the study's overall approach is sound, several methodological aspects require further clarification and potentially impact the generalizability of the findings. The sample size for environmental foodstuffs (five red chilies and five tomatoes) is exceptionally small. Such a limited number of samples may not be representative of the actual pesticide residue levels present in the broader food supply consumed by the 117 sampled farmers, thereby potentially limiting the validity and broader applicability of the derived risk quotients. Furthermore, the abstract presents two distinct concentration values for Profenofos in both red chilies and tomatoes without explanation; it is unclear if these represent individual samples, a range, or different batches, which warrants elaboration for data interpretation. A more detailed description of how consumption rates were integrated into the EHRA calculation, particularly for these specific foodstuffs, would also enhance the understanding of the exposure pathway and subsequent risk assessment. The finding that respondents face a non-carcinogenic health risk from Profenofos in tomatoes, as indicated by a risk quotient exceeding one, is a critical outcome that warrants attention from public health authorities and agricultural extension services. This highlights a specific area where interventions might be necessary to protect farmer health. To strengthen future work, it would be beneficial to expand the environmental sampling to include a larger and more diverse array of foodstuffs regularly consumed by the farming community. Comparing detected residue levels with established Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) and detailing the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) values used in the EHRA calculation would also provide crucial context for the risk assessment. Despite the identified limitations, this study provides an important initial step in characterizing pesticide-related dietary risks in an vulnerable population and lays the groundwork for more comprehensive investigations into agricultural food safety.

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