Evaluation of some pollutant levels in conventionally and organically farmed potato tubers and their risks to human health.

A total of 144 kg of potato tuber samples, representing two different types of farming production [e.g., conventional (C) and organic (O)], were collected from different locations in Giza governorate (Egypt), and subjected to pesticide residue and heavy metal analyses. Residues of some organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), such as HCB and heptachlor as well as some organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs), such as methamidophos, thiometon, profenofos, phorate and pirimiphos-methyl were found in a number of samples at concentration levels exceeding their MRLs. The majority of the analyzed samples contained detectable concentrations of Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe, Cd, Pb, Cr, Ni and Co. Specifically, Pb and Fe were found in a number of samples at concentrations exceeding their MLs. Contamination among the two types of potatoes varied from a season to another and contamination of C potatoes was nearly 2 times that of O potatoes either by pesticides or heavy metals. Estimation of dietary intake of pesticides and heavy metals by potatoes revealed that only phorate residues either in conventional or organic potatoes may pose risks to human health. None of the studied heavy metals showed to cause dietary intake risks to human health. The study shed light to the problem of multi toxicants in potatoes.