DETERMINATION OF HEAVY METALS FROM PESTICIDE

Abstract

This study was carried out at the laboratory of Agricultural Chemistry Department, Sher-eBangla

Agricultural University, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka, from the month of June 2022 to April 2023 for the determination and risk analysis of heavy metals in different pesticide samples collected from different places in Bangladesh. Three places namely (1) Monirampur, Jessore, (2) Barinagar, Jessore, (3) Mithapukur, Rangpur was selected for sample collection. Samples were collected on four groups namely (i) Carbamate, (ii) Imidachloprid (iii) Organophosphate and (iv)Pyrithroid. Total thirty eight samples were considered for the present study. Atomic absorption spectroscopy analysis was used to determine lead (Pb), chromium (Cr) and cadmium (Cd) in sample pesticides. It was found that the levels of heavy metals in pesticides varied from group to group. Some concentrations of Pb, Cr, and Cd in pesticide samples some were higher and some were lower than the acceptable limit recommended by FAO/WHO. According to FAO/WHO, the maximum allowable concentration for Pb, Cr and Cd are 0.3, 2.3 and 0.2 mg/L respectively. Among 38 samples 12 samples were contaminated with lead (Pb) concentrations and these were belonged to organophosphate group. Single factor pollution index (PI) indicates that some of pesticide samples are contaminated (PI>1) and some are yet not contaminated (PI<1). In case of sum of pollution index (SPI), sample Dursban of organophosphate group showed the highest SPI (2.58) whereas the lowest SPI (0.32) was found in Jubas of pyrithroid group. Again considering metal pollution index (MPI), the highest MPI (0.250) was at sample pesticide Starban of organophosphate group whereas the lowest MPI (0.028) was at sample pesticide Genethrin of pyrithroid group. Government should monitor the imported pesticide to reduce the contamination with heavy metals with different methods of heavy metal detections. Presence of heavy metal in pesticide regarding Pb, Cr and Cd is harmful if it is higher than acceptable limit recommended by FAO/WHO.