Monitoring of pesticide residues of five notable vegetables at Agbogbloshie market in Accra, Ghana
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Date
2014-07
Authors
Osei-Fosu, P
Donkor, A.K
Nyarko, S
Nazzah, N.K
Asante, I.K
Kingsford-Adabo, R
Arkorful, N.A
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment
Abstract
The study monitored the concentrations of pesticide residues in vegetables arriving at Agbogbloshie, a central market in the Accra Metropolis from different parts of Ghana and beyond. A total of 810 samples of 5 different vegetables from Central, Volta, Greater Accra, Ashanti, Eastern Regions, and neighboring country (Togo) were collected from January 2009 through to December 2011. In all, 18 % of the samples had no detectable residues, 62 % were below the maximum residue limits (MRLs), and 20 % also exceeded the EU (MRLs) adopted values. Overall, lettuce contained the highest number of residues above their MRLs besides cucumber and cabbage. The pesticide residues were mainly organophosphates and synthetic pyrethroids. The results demonstrate the need for continuous monitoring of pesticide residues in vegetables arriving at the various major markets in Ghana. © 2014, Springer International Publishing Switzerland.
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Keywords
Agbogbloshie market, Maximum residue limit (MRL), Pesticides, Residues, Vegetables