Pesticides Application Practices And Residues In Sprayed Tomatoes And Their Safety To Consumers

ABSTRACT 

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 farmers (about 12%) were interviewed using 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.