African Journal of
Pure and Applied Chemistry

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Pure Appl. Chem.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1996-0840
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJPAC
  • Start Year: 2007
  • Published Articles: 368

Full Length Research Paper

Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and its metabolites in house dust, soil and selected food crops from indoor residual sprayed areas of Apac and Oyam Districts, Uganda

Paul Mukasa
  • Paul Mukasa
  • Department of Chemistry, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, P. O. Box 1410, Mbarara, Uganda.
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John Wasswa
  • John Wasswa
  • Department of Chemistry, Makerere University, P. O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda.
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Proscovia Namuyomba
  • Proscovia Namuyomba
  • Department of Chemistry, Gulu University, P. O. Box 166, Gulu, Uganda.
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Emmanuel Ntambi
  • Emmanuel Ntambi
  • Department of Chemistry, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, P. O. Box 1410, Mbarara, Uganda.
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  •  Received: 02 February 2022
  •  Accepted: 12 June 2022
  •  Published: 31 August 2022

Abstract

Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) levels and its metabolites are reported in 75 soil and 75 vegetable samples from the vicinity of homesteads sprayed with DDT during indoor residual spraying (IRS) pilot exercise, carried out in 2008 in Apac and Oyam districts, Uganda as a measure to control malaria. The samples were randomly and conveniently collected in 2020 from selected villages of the districts, extracted using solid dispersion and multi-residue methods for soil and vegetable samples, respectively and analyzed using GC-ECD and GC-MS. DDT residues were detected in all samples collected. The ΣDDT (µg kg-1) in all indoor house dust, outdoor soil samples from villages of Apac and Oyam districts and control areas were 69.9±20.9 and 8.9±4.7, 113.4±22.6 and 15.4±4.3, and 1.13±0.27 and 1.8±0.9, respectively. ΣDDT were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the study areas than the control areas. In vegetables, ∑DDT (µg kg-1) ranged between 1.7±0.3 and 8.3±4.0 and 2.3±0.4 and 11.4±7.5 in the study and control areas, respectively. Abelmoschus esculentus and Gynandropsis gynandra had the highest levels. The results suggest that IRS had an effect on DDT levels in the environment. However, ∑DDT in vegetables were significantly below (P < 0.05) the EU EMRL, thus, the results raise no concern regarding the potential health effects of DDT to the residents. Nevertheless, due to bioaccumulation effects of DDT, to control malaria, measures like Ecohealth rather than IRS of DDT should be embraced.

Key words: Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane metabolites, indoor residual spraying.

Copyright © 2024 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article.

This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0

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