Risk assessment of selected endocrine disrupting compounds in selected raw foodstuffs sold on open markets in Zambia

The aim of this study was to assess the presence and quantity of selected organic endocrine disrupting compounds (phthalates, DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) metabolites and 4-nonylphenol) in the selected raw foodstuffs (fish and vegetables) sold in open markets and to carry out a health risk assessment of the EDCs. QuEChERS (Quick, Effective, Cheap, Efficient, Rugged and Safe) technique was optimized for extraction and GC-MS (gas chromatography-mass spectrometry) was used for identification and quantification. 4-Nonylphenol and DDT metabolites were not detected in all the samples. The mean levels of DMP (dimethyl phthalate) ranged from 91.05 to 101.76 μg/kg, 77.14 to 123.82 μg/kg, and 85.65 to 98.55 μg/kg for samples from Kitwe, Lusaka and Kabwe, respectively. The mean concentrations of DEP (diethyl phthalate) ranged from 21.46 to 80.69 μg/kg, 63.93 to 161.67 μg/kg and 23.22 to 46.01 μg/kg for samples from Kitwe, Lusaka and Kabwe, respectively. DMP was lowest in tomato in all the towns. DEP was generally higher in spinach. The health risk analysis of DMP and DEP gave the hazard index, HI < 1. Though the health risk parameters for DMP and DEP are within the safety margins, consumers’ safety can only be guaranteed after a comprehensive risk analysis of other EDCs. KEY WORDS: Raw foodstuffs, Fish, Vegetables, QuECHERS, DDT, Phthalates Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2025, 39(7), 1227-1244. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v39i7.1