Effect of pesticide residues on human health

 

Effect  of Pesticide Residues on Human Health

Authur name: Nazish Tahir

Pesticides are chemical substances which are used to kill the pests. There are different types of pesticide such as insecticides (used to kill insects), fungicides (used to kill fungus) and herbicides (used to kill weeds). Today the use of safe pesticides is the major focus because most of pesticides are harmful if they doesn't use in right quantity or right time. For example some pesticides mention their safer limit if there limits exceed from this quantity then its residues remain not only in end product but in soil and near water which adversely affect human health and also our ecosystem.

Analysis of pesticides

High Performance thin layer chromatography (HPLC) methods are developed and validated for qualitative and quantitative analysis of pesticide in food samples which are cost-effective, simple and acceptable with wide applications. Minimum detectable quantity (MDQ) of these methods is in the range of 0.5-100 ng.

Pesticide Residues in Tomato

 

Fungicide	Residue   ppm
Thiophanate methyl	2-3.5
Mancozeb	3-5.5
Matalyxyl	0.2-0.3
Carbendazim	0.1-0.4

Diseases caused by pesticides

Pesticides or pesticide residues that are present on the surface of fruits and vegetables can cause a lot of diseases in human beings like Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, cancer of liver and lungs, Genes mutations and Hormonal disturbance in females. Now a day’s children are more vulnerable to pesticide residues because they can even create permanent damage in them.

Exposure to pesticides at any level in the life cycle has the capability for causing a range of short-term and long-term health problems. In short-term health problems nose and throat irritation, skin burning, itching, rashes, nausea and vomiting included. While in long-term damage of brain and nervous system, birth defects, infertility, damage of liver kidney and other body organs.

To overcome the effect of pesticide residues following preventive measure should be adopted. Always purchase organic and locally grown fruit and vegetables. Before eating Wash fruits and vegetables. Also know which vegetables and fruits have higher levels of pesticide residue. Grow your own products. Always use inert and

non-toxic methods for controlling insects in the home and garden. Scrub outer surface of fruits and vegetables, like melons and root vegetables. Remove the outer layer of leafy vegetables, such as lettuce or cabbage. Peel the fruits and vegetables when possible dry produce with a clean cloth towel or paper towel when possible.