Potential health risk associated with consumption of local food containing pesticide residues for the rural population

Objective. Hygienic assessment of the potential health risks to the rural population associated with the use of local food products produced in areas containing residual amounts of pesticides in the soil.

Material and methods. The quantification of chloro- and organophosphorus pesticides in local foods was analyzed by thin-layer and gas-liquid chromatography. Health risks to the rural population from exposure to pesticides in foods were assessed according to the Risk Assessment Guidelines (P 2.1.10. 1920-04). To calculate exposure and hazard ratio (HQ), summary hazard indices (HIs), individual (CR), and population (PCR) carcinogenic hazards, the median and 90th percentile of pesticide content in topical foods were used.

Results. Dairy and vegetable products were found to contribute mainly to the median level of pollution with organochlorine toxic chemicals for most studied areas. Potatoes and vegetable products contributed to pollution with organophosphorus compounds. The HQ values calculated at the median level of pesticide content in food products in all agricultural areas under study in the region indicated an acceptable level of exposure. It is also good, but above 1.0, were the total HI due to pesticide contamination at the level of the 90^th percentile value in local food products of four districts of the Saratov region. The total non-carcinogenic risk at the level of the 90^th percentile was assessed for pesticides that have a unidirectional effect on the damage to the endocrine system - due to the action of DDT, HCHCG, and malathion; damage to the liver, kidneys, and the reproductive system - due to the action of DDT, HCHCG, chlorpyrifos and glyphosate.

Conclusion. Thus, the study established a high level of the CR value for the health of all surveyed environmentally disadvantaged areas of the Saratov region associated with contamination of HCHCG food products calculated at the median and 90th percentile level. An average of 84.2% of PCR was due to contamination of local HCHCG foodstuffs and 15.8 % to DDT.

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