BACKGROUND: Mancozeb belongs to a group of pesticides known as dithiocarbamates (DTC) that are a non-systemic group of pesticides extensively used in Uganda to protect crops from fungal diseases. OBJECTIVES: This study was done in 5 selected districts of Central Uganda with a focus on markets and farms to investigate the current mancozeb concentrations on tomatoes and identify key areas of improvement to minimize human exposure. METHODS: Tomato samples were analyzed for mancozeb residue determined as carbon disulfide (CS2) by gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC-MS). RESULTS: All the samples analyzed had detectable concentrations of mancozeb residue. It was observed that farm samples had mean concentrations of 1.03±0.28 mg/kg, while market samples had 0.77±0.49 mg/kg. The study also found that farmers applied 3-6 times the dosage of mancozeb recommended by manufacturers. Furthermore, the observed pre-harvest interval after application of mancozeb was 1-2 days as opposed to 3-7 days set by manufacturers. CONCLUSIONS: The observed practices at farms are likely to put farmers and final consumers at a risk of exposure to dithiocarbamates.
BACKGROUND: Mancozeb belongs to a group of pesticides known as dithiocarbamates (DTC) that are a non-systemic group of pesticides extensively used in Uganda to protect crops from fungal diseases. OBJECTIVES: This study was done in 5 selected districts of Central Uganda with a focus on markets and farms to investigate the current mancozeb concentrations on tomatoes and identify key areas of improvement to minimize human exposure. METHODS: Tomato samples were analyzed for mancozeb residue determined as carbon disulfide (CS2) by gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC-MS). RESULTS: All the samples analyzed had detectable concentrations of mancozeb residue. It was observed that farm samples had mean concentrations of 1.03±0.28 mg/kg, while market samples had 0.77±0.49 mg/kg. The study also found that farmers applied 3-6 times the dosage of mancozeb recommended by manufacturers. Furthermore, the observed pre-harvest interval after application of mancozeb was 1-2 days as opposed to 3-7 days set by manufacturers. CONCLUSIONS: The observed practices at farms are likely to put farmers and final consumers at a risk of exposure to dithiocarbamates.
Authors: B Schmidt; H B Christensen; A Petersen; J J Sloth; M E Poulsen Journal: Food Addit Contam Part A Chem Anal Control Expo Risk Assess Date: 2013-06-25
Authors: Fred B Masika; Titus Alicai; Hussein Shimelis; Gabriel Ddamulira; Shahasi Y Athman; Perpetua Ipulet; Morgan Andama; Arthur K Tugume Journal: CABI Agric Biosci Date: 2022-06-22
Authors: Aggrey Atuhaire; Emmanuel Kaye; Innocent Louis Mutambuze; Graham Matthews; Theodor Friedrich; Erik Jørs Journal: Environ Health Insights Date: 2017-06-05
Authors: Charles Ssemugabo; David Guwatudde; John C Ssempebwa; Asa Bradman Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-01-26 Impact factor: 3.390