Pesticide residues getting higher

The presence of pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables is getting higher than the maximum permissible levels (MPL), revealed a recent survey by the Union government. Besides, vegetables from some parts of Uttar Pradesh were found presence of banned pesticides. The survey, conducted over a year from November 2007 to October 2008 across the country by the Union agriculture and cooperation ministry, found that 18% vegetables and 12% fruits, both home grown and imported, contained pesticide residues, including banned pesticides.

In 4% vegetables and 2% fruits, these residues are higher than the maximum permissible levels. The survey, which considered water sample and market samples of vegetables, fruits, spices, cereal grains, milk, butter, fish, tea, honey, meat and marine products, for possible presence of pesticide residues, analysed a total of 12,004 samples during the year.

“About 18% (664) of the total 3,648 vegetable samples of brinjal, okra (lady’s finger), tomato, cabbage and cauliflower, was found residues. Vegetables, such as cabbage, cauliflower, okra and tomato had the highest amount of pesticide residue,” the survey said.

A total of 1,726 samples of apple, banana, grapes, orange, pomegranate, guava and mango were analysed in 15 different laboratories. The pesticides found in fruits mainly included chlorpyriphos, monocrotophos, profenophos and cypermethrin. Banned pesticides were mainly found in the samples analysed by the Lucknow laboratory. These samples were collected from Gorakhpur, Faizabad and Allahabad. About 54% of them were found residues.

The banned pesticides include aldrin, HCH, chlordane, DDT, dimethoate, chlorpyrifos and heptachlor. “Though residues of banned pesticides have not been reported in other parts of the country, these results need to be reconfirmed,” the survey said. Phytosanitary experts said banned pesticides, such as DDT, which are still used in the malaria eradication programme, find their illegal way into the agriculture system, while the residue of other banned pesticides can be found due to their presence in the soil and water.