Analysis and Health Risk Assessment of Organochlorine Pesticide Residues in Selected Livestock from Awe, Nasarawa South, Nigeria

The analysis and Health risk Index of organochlorine (OC), and pesticide residues in Cow, Goat, Pig, and Ram meat samples in Awe sourced directly from the major feeding abattoir was carried out. Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective and Robust (QuEChERs) Extraction method was employed for sample extraction. Instrumental analysis was performed on a gas chromatograph with a mass spectrometer detector (GC-MS). In all Meat samples varying concentrations of OC pesticide residue were detected. 20 OC pesticide was run across all Livestock samples. 17 pesticide residues were detected in Cow meat, 14 pesticide residues detected in Goat sample, 12 pesticide residues in Pig meat, and 15 pesticide residues were detected in Ram samples. Among the pesticide residues detected the most prevalent OC pesticide ranges from Endrin, P,P' – DDD, Endosulfan II, P,P' – DDT, Endrin Aldehyde, Endosulfan Sulfate, Methoxychlor, Endrin Ketone. Banned pesticides in Nigeria are found in the meat samples in Awe, though they do not exceed the maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) set by FAO/WHO. The Chronic Health Index values of the various meat samples are below 1. CHI value lower than 1 indicates no potential health risks while more than 1 CHI value indicates a potential health hazard. Continuous monitoring and stricter enforcement of pesticide regulations are recommended to ensure food safety and minimize potential long-term health impacts.