Analysis of Pesticide Residues in Sachet Water Vended in Birnin Kebbi and Environs, Kebbi State, Nigeria

The organochlorine and organophosphorus pesticide residues in sachet water sold in Birnin Kebbi and its environs were investigated to assess the level of contamination in this all important product. Samples of water were collected from the different sachet water producing plants, raw river water, which serves as a source for the manufacturers and borehole water samples were also collected. All the samples were subjected to liquid-liquid extraction process using methylene chloride and residue identification and quantification was done using GC-MS equipped with ⁶³Niselective electron capture detector. The results of the analysis revealed that DDE, one of the metabolites of DDT have the highest mean concentration of 0.008µg/L, found in 20 samples and has a percentage distribution of 25% of the detectable residues. DDT was the next abundant residues with a mean concentration of 0.007µg/L detected in 18 samples and has a percentage distribution of 21.88%.γ-HCH detected in 17 samples was the third highest with a mean concentration of 0.004µg/L and has a percentage distribution of 12.50%. Among the organophosphorus residues chlorpyrifos detected in 18 samples with a mean concentration of 0.007µg/Land having a percentage distribution of 28% was the highest. Malathion detected in 17 samples with a mean concentration of 0.004µg/L having a percentage distribution of 17% was the second most detected organophosphorus residue observed in the samples. The analysis also revealed that manufacturers who sourced their water from borehole showed the lowest concentration of residues than the river source. Generally, the concentrations of pesticide residues in the samples are higher than the maximum allowable limit of 0.001µg/L as stipulated by EU indicating a possible contamination of the products. To avoid the possible health hazards, the indiscriminate application of pesticides should be restricted and various substitute products like bio-pesticide should be introduced on a broad scale as soon as possible.