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Pesticides have been used intensively in tomato growing activities for pests and fungal
control. However, health concerns have been reported as a result of pesticides use. This
study was conducted to assess pesticides application practices and residues levels in
harvested tomatoes grown in Kilolo District. Seventy one of farmers (about 12%) were
interviewed using a structured interview schedules and 40 (about 6.8%) tomato samples
were taken from 40 farmers for laboratory analysis. Data were analyzed using SPSS
version 16.0. The results showed that; 3 insecticides and 5 fungicides were used in the
study area. Non-recommended pesticides application practices like; mixing of more than
one pesticide, short pre-harvest waiting time, use of inappropriate personal protective
gears such as wearing dust masks instead of chemical masks were reported. Various
health effects including; skin irritation (85.30%), chest pain and flu (58.80%), eye
irritation (41.20%) and headache (30.90%) were reported. In laboratory analysis, endrin
residues were detected in 14.00% of the samples. No residues of pesticides used in the
study area were detected. Fortified samples were also analyzed; the results showed that,
the residues for profenofos were high in the peels (97.0% and 71.9%) at 0 day and after
1day respectively, 41.1% and 44.5% in peels and pulp after 5 days, respectively.
Washing of tomato showed no significant effect in the reduction of profenofos residues
(only 17.1% loss). Lambdacyhalothrin residues were only detected in the peels 49.5% at
same day of spray and 38.0% after 5 days. This study recommends that; farmers should
follow the recommended pesticides application practices including, pre-harvest waiting
time and protection measures. In addition, consumers should peel tomatoes in order to
reduce levels of pesticide residues. Further study should be conducted to establish the
source of endrin residues as it is not registered in Tanzania. |
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