Assessment of pyrethroids pesticide usage and residual levels in pepper (capsicum annuum l) from libga in the northern region of ghana

Pyrethroids are synthetic forms of pyrethrins and that differ in chemical structure and symptoms of exposure. Some pyrethroids are known to be endocrine destructive, and impair reproductive competence. They are used as pesticides in the cultivation of crops and vegetables. Investigations were carried out to determine the residual levels of pyrethriods and the types used in the cultivation of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) at the Libga irrigation site in Ghana. Pepper samples were randomly taken from farmers in Libga to determine pyrethroids level using the US-EPA method 3510. Administration of questionnaires to 39 farmers was also carried out to know some spraying practices and types of pesticides used. Results indicated that Allethrin, Bifenthrin, Fenpropathrine, Lambda-cyhalothrin, Permethrin, Cyfluthrin, Cypermethrin, Fenvalerate and Deltamethrin residual levels were 0.0023 ± 0.00109 mg kg-1 0.0081 ± 0.00453 mg kg-1, 0.0203 ± 0.01658 mg kg-1 ,0.0065 ± 0.00354 mg kg-1, 0.0129 ± 0.00613 mg kg-1, 0.0374 ± 0.00927 mg kg-1, 0.0015 ± 0.00359 mg kg-1, 0.02 ± 0.00480 mg kg-1, 0.1428 ± 0.1385 mg kg-1 respectively. Fenvalerate recorded a residual level equal to European Union’s maximum residual levels. However, Allethrin, Bifenthrin, Lambda-cyhalothrin, Permethrin, Cyfluthrin, Cypermethrin, and Deltamethrin had their mean residual levels below European Union’s maximum residual levels. Fenpropathrin recorded a value that was above European Union’s maximum residual levels. The implications of the above observations are that most pyrethroids insecticide used were not persistent in the cultivated pepper at Ligba and most pepper sampled from Ligba have less potential health risk.