Özet:

This work is done with the purpose of determining residual concentration of organophosphorus pesticide (Chlorpyrifos) in vegetables (Okra, potato), surface water and ground water. Five samples of each vegetable, ground water and surface water were collected randomly from eight union councils (UCs) of tehsil Mehrabpur district Naushahro Feroze. Pesticide residues were extracted and cleaned up using standard analytical methods USEPA 3510C and USEPA 3620C, respectively. In continuation to this samples were analyzed through Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionization detector (GC-FID). Results showed that the residual concentration of selected pesticide was not more than maximum residual limit (MRL) in ground water samples, maximum value 16µg/L was found in UC5 while minimum was 3µg/L in UC2. Whereas, in surface water higher residual concentrations were observed having maximum and minimum values 91.2µg/L and 25µg/L, respectively. However, in vegetable samples 15% of okra and 20% of potato samples contained residual concentration within MRL values and rest were found with higher concentrations. The presence of such hazardous pesticides in vegetables is a serious threat to humans relying on them for food. Therefore, it is very much necessary to regulate the use of hazardous pesticides in recommended areas by conducting ongoing monitoring.

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