Keywords
DDT; Aldrin; Polychlorinated Biphenyls; Cigarettes; Human Health; Cancer.
Abstract
Cigarette smoking, or tobacco consumption, remains a significant health concern around the world. While there has been more focus on the harmful effects of nicotine in cigarettes, only little is known about some other components such as Polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine pesticides like DDT and Aldrin, which are used on tobacco farms. Human exposure to pesticide residues on tobacco occurs when residues remaining in cigarette smoke are inhaled.
This study was carried out with the aim of (i) investigating the concentration levels of organochlorine pesticides (Aldrin and DDT) and PCB in ten Market available cigarettes in Abeokuta, Ogun State, and (ii) assess the human health associated with the concentration levels found in the cigarettes.
The Mean concentration ranges of the pesticides in the cigarette samples were as follows; Aldrin (0.015µg/g - 0.048µg/g). DDT (0,116µg/g - 0.330µg/g), and PCB (0.223µg/g - 0.567µg/g). From the analysis, the hazard quotient for the pesticides and PCB were also very low and unable to cause any health problems, with the cancer risk in them also at a very minimal level. However, PCB is more likely to be carcinogenic due to its high cancer risk values, though it might not have a significant effect in contributing to non-carcinogenic adverse effects, just like with DDT and Aldrin.
Citation
Olatunde Bello H (2024) Organochlorine Pesticides (Aldrin, DDT) and PCBs in Market Available Cigarettes in Abeokuta, Ogun State, and Their Health Risks. SM J Environ Toxicol 7: 8.