Banned pesticides found in vegetables

Traces of pesticides banned from agriculture have been found in vegetable samples collected from the State during Onam.

Traces of Benzene hexachloride, Dieldrin and Heptachlor were found in 15 samples of vegetables that were analysed by the Council for Food Research and Development, Konni. Though the traces of the chemicals were “within the permissible limit and one sample above the permissible limit”, the study indicated that the pesticides not intended for agriculture had reached the vegetables, said M.K. Mukundan, director of

the council.

The vegetable samples, collected from different parts of the State during Onam, were analysed for organochloro pesticides. The council analysed 43 vegetable samples in 20 categories. Of the 43 samples, 28 were found free of organochloro compounds. Carrot samples collected from Kozhikode had the banned pesticides beyond the permissible levels and the samples were classified as not satisfactory for human consumption, according to a report prepared by A. Bhadran, senior analyst of the council.

Plantains, beans, cabbage, chillies, tomato, bitter gourd, ladies finger, brinjal and cluster beans were among the vegetables that were assessed for pesticides.

According to Mr. Mukundan, there existed the possibility of farmers directly applying chlorinated pesticides or plants absorbing those compounds from the soil. The accumulation of chlorinated pesticides in the human body can lead to serious health hazards. The human body cannot disintegrate or excrete chlorinated pesticides. Is accumulation beyond a particular level would have disastrous health effects, said Mr. Mukundan.