Human health risk assessment of potential toxic elements in paddy soil and rice (Oryza sativa) from Ugbawka fields, Enugu, Nigeria

The potential toxic elements (Cu, Zn, Pb, Ni, Fe, Cr, Cd, Mn and Hg) were accumulated from rice grains and soil from an Ugbawka farm, Enugu State, Nigeria, which were determined to evaluate the potential health risk to rice consumers. The mean levels of metals found in soil (mg/kg) were as follows: Ni (0.57±0.24), Pb (2.44±0.17), Zn (3.35±2.05), Cu (0.71±0.33), Mn (37.72±10.97), Fe (13 856.6±31.43), Cr (2.51±0.98), Cd (0.51±1.36), and Hg (0.02±0.38); however metals found in rice grains (mg/ kg) were: Ni (0.81±0.72), Pb (0.94±0.70), Zn (8.22±2.97), Cu (0.59±0.42), Mn (13.30±4.56), Fe (13.28±0.73), Cr (15.00±10.00), Cd (0.36±0.07), and Hg (0.002±0.23). A small percentage (2.5%) of the soil samples were above the Chinese Maximum Allowable Concentration for cadmium in soil while cadmium and lead levels in the rice grains were above WHO permissible limit. Pearson’s correlations showed significant correlations amongst some metal pairs in soil and grains showing similarity in origin. The estimated daily intake of Pb was higher than the safety levels given by JECFA. Hazard Quotient for Pb and Total Hazard Index of all the metals were above one. This indicates possible potential health risk and adverse effect resulting from consumption of rice from Ugbawka farm

Interventions to reduce pesticide exposure from the agricultural sector in Africa: a workshop report

Despite the fact that several cases of unsafe pesticide use among farmers in different parts of Africa have been documented, there is limited evidence of which specific interventions are effective in reducing pesticide exposure and associated risks to human health and ecology. The overall goal of the African Pesticide Intervention Project (APsent) study is to better understand ongoing research and public health activities related to interventions in Africa through the implementation of suitable target-specific situations or use contexts. A systematic review of the scientific literature on pesticide intervention studies with a focus on Africa was conducted. This was followed by a qualitative survey among stakeholders involved in pesticide research or management in the African region to learn about barriers to and promoters of successful interventions. The project was concluded with an international workshop in November 2021, where a broad range of topics relevant to occupational and environmental health risks were discussed such as acute poisoning, street pesticides, switching to alternatives, or disposal of empty pesticide containers. Key areas of improvement identified were training on pesticide usage techniques, research on the effectiveness of interventions targeted at exposure-reduction and/or behavioral changes, awareness-raising, implementation of adequate policies, and enforcement of regulations and processe

Interventions to reduce pesticide exposure from the agricultural sector in Africa: a workshop report

Despite the fact that several cases of unsafe pesticide use among farmers in different parts of Africa have been documented, there is limited evidence regarding which specific interventions are effective in reducing pesticide exposure and associated risks to human health and ecology. The overall goal of the African Pesticide Intervention Project (APsent) study is to better understand ongoing research and public health activities related to interventions in Africa through the implementation of suitable target-specific situations or use contexts. A systematic review of the scientific literature on pesticide intervention studies with a focus on Africa was conducted. This was followed by a qualitative survey among stakeholders involved in pesticide research or management in the African region to learn about barriers to and promoters of successful interventions. The project was concluded with an international workshop in November 2021, where a broad range of topics relevant to occupational and environmental health risks were discussed such as acute poisoning, street pesticides, switching to alternatives, or disposal of empty pesticide containers. Key areas of improvement identified were training on pesticide usage techniques, research on the effectiveness of interventions targeted at exposure reduction and/or behavioral changes, awareness raising, implementation of adequate policies, and enforcement of regulations and processes