Organochlorine pesticide contamination of foods in Africa: incidence and public health significance

• Published in: Journal of Veterinary Medical Science Vol. 79; no. 4; pp. 751 - 764
• Main Authors: THOMPSON, Lesa A., DARWISH, Wageh Sobhy, IKENAKA, Yoshinori, NAKAYAMA, Shouta M. M., MIZUKAWA, Hazuki, ISHIZUKA, Mayumi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan JAPANESE SOCIETY OF VETERINARY SCIENCE 2017; The Japanese Society of Veterinary Science
• Subjects: Africa; Animals; Environmental Monitoring; Environmental Pollutants - analysis; food; Food Contamination - analysis; health hazards; Humans; Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated - analysis; Incidence; OCPs; Pesticide Residues; Pesticides - analysis; Plants, Edible; Public Health; Toxicology
• ISSN: 0916-7250; 1347-7439; 1347-7439
• DOI: 10.1292/jvms.16-0214

Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) have been used worldwide, particularly in Africa, for several decades. Although many are banned, several African countries still use OCPs especially for the prevention and control of malaria. OCPs are characterized by their bio-accumulation in the environment, especially in the food chain, where they find their way into the human body. Despite no clear epidemiological studies confirming hazardous effects of these chemicals on human health, many studies have reported positive associations between the use of OCPs and neurological and reproductive disorders, and cancer risk. There is a clear gap in published reports on OCPs in Africa and their potential health hazards. Thus, the aim of this review is to summarize the incidence of OCP contamination in various foods in Africa, to demonstrate the potential transmission of these chemicals to people and to discuss their possible health hazards.