Health risk assessment of organochlorine pesticide exposure through dietary intake of vegetables grown in the periurban sites of Delhi, India

The study investigated the levels of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in different types of vegetables grown in periurban area of National Capital Region (NCR), India. Vegetable sampling was carried out in winter and summer season of 2012. A total of 20 different OCPs were determined using gas chromatography (GC) assembled with electron capture detector (ECD). Obtained results showed that average levels of ∑₂₀OCP ranged from 83.8 ± 25.5 ng g⁻¹in smooth gourd to 222.4 ± 90.0 ng g⁻¹in cauliflower. The mean concentrations of different OCPs were observed in order of ∑HCH > ∑CHLs > drins > ∑endosulfan > ∑DDT in all vegetables except in brinjal and smooth gourd. Most of the OCP residues recorded in vegetable samples exceeded the maximum residue levels (MRLs) set by international and national regulatory agencies. Health risk assessment suggests that daily dietary OCP exposure via vegetable consumption was higher for children (mean value 4.25E−05) than adults (mean value 2.19E−05). The hazard quotient (HQ) and lifetime cancer risk (LCR) estimated from dietary exposure of these vegetables were above the acceptable limit and can be considered as a serious concern for Delhi population.