Pesticide residue levels in vegetables and surface waters at the Central Rift Valley (CRV) of Ethiopia

Seven pesticides, profenofos, metalaxyl, λ-cyhalothrin, 4,4′-DDT, 4,4′-DDE, and α- and β-endosulfan, were determined in vegetables (tomato, onion) from 20 locations and surface waters from 12 locations in the Central Rift Valley (CRV) of Ethiopia. Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe (QuEChERS) and solid phase extraction (SPE) methods were used for the vegetables and water, respectively. In 2.5% of the tomato samples, profenofos was detected above European maximum residue limits (MRLs), in 12.5% of the samples metalaxyl, and in 2.5% α- and β-endosulfan. In 5% of the onion samples, profenofos was detected above European MRLs, in 7.5% of the onion samples metalaxyl, and in 5% λ-cyhalothrin. In surface water, profenofos was detected at the highest concentration of 2300 μg/L in the Bulbula River, 890 μg/L near the agricultural land north of Lake Ziway (ANLZ-1), 1700 μg/L in the floriculture effluent (FE-1), and 900 μg/L in tap water at the Batu Drinking Water (BDW) supply. These results show that the levels of pesticides are in several cases substantially elevated, and emphasize the need of regular pesticide monitoring programs for surface waters and vegetables in the Ethiopian CRV

Pesticide use and practice of local farmers in the Central Rift Valley (CRV) of Ethiopia: implications for the environment and health hazards

In this study, pesticide practices and related environmental and health effects were investigated in the Central Rift Valley (CRV) of Ethiopia through a farmers’ survey. Questionnaires were distributed to 422 local farmers in the Arsi-Negele, Meki and Ziway areas. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to evaluate the results of the questionnaire and to identify risk factors associated with environmental and health effects after spraying. The majority of the farmers (44.4–55.0%) stored their pesticides in the kitchen or anywhere in the house, while only 6.5–32.0% of the farmers stored them in a separate place outside the house. A large majority of the farmers (63%) did not use personal protective equipment during pesticide spraying and handling, which was negatively associated with understanding pesticide instructions of the pesticide labels, OR: 0.9; (95% CI:0.82–0.98) in the supervised stepwise backwards selection model. Reading the instructions of the pesticide labels was positively associated with understanding instructions OR: 1.59 (95% CI: 1.0–2.54). The risk for water pollution was higher in the Meki region OR: 1.26 (95% CI: 1.14–1.4) compared to Ziway and Arsi-Negele. Most farmers (66%) experienced discomfort after pesticide spraying and Illnesses from pesticide spraying were more frequently reported by educated farmers. Therefore, proper training in pesticide use in this region could strongly reduce the health risk associated with pesticide exposure

Import, disposal, and health impacts of pesticides in the East Africa Rift(EAR) zone:A review on management and policy analysis

East Africa Rift (EAR) zone countries, such as Ethiopia, Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda are among the least developed countries in the world. Agricultural activities are the main source of their economy and huge amounts of pesticides have been imported for decades to protect crops from damage by pests and diseases. Some of these pesticides expired in storage before they were used and their disposal became a major problem. Further, these countries declare different policies related to pesticide management. This study reviews the relevant literature about import, disposal and health impacts of pesticides together with different related policies. Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Google were used as the main sources of information. Records show the increases in the import of pesticides in Ethiopia from 2013 to 2016, in Tanzania from 2006 to 2011, in Kenya from 2008 to 2015, and in Uganda from 1980 to 2004. Disposing of obsolete pesticides is very costly and needs proper facilities. Therefore, EAR countries transport these pesticides to European countries for incineration. For example, Ethiopia disposed of 1574.5 and 926 tonnes of obsolete pesticides in collaboration with the FAO. Acute and passive pesticide poisoning occurrences are also discussed in the review. The paper also highlights the policies so far stated. However, these policies lack proper implementation. Therefore, this study suggests EAR countries should use alternative methods to protect crops from the damage caused by pests and diseases, which could reduce the excessive import of pesticides. Similarly, training should also be given to all stakeholders to ensure implementation of all policies