Organochlorine pesticides in therapeutic teas and human health risk assessment

ABSTRACT

This study evaluated commercially available therapeutic teas for their organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) residue levels to estimate the potential health risks associated with their prolonged consumption. Tea samples that were produced for therapeutic uses were obtained commercially. Organochlorine pesticide residues were extracted from the samples using the modified QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe) method and analysed using Gas Chromatography with Electron Capture Detector (GC-ECD). Results showed that the tea samples contained a large number of OCPs residue at levels that were significantly higher than the maximum residue limits (MRLs) set by the European Union (p > 0.05). Aldrin was detected in all samples, methoxychlor, and p,p’-DDT were detected in ≥88% of the samples while γ–HCH, δ–HCH, endosulfan II, and endosulfan sulphate were detected in ≥69% of the samples. Health risk assessment indicated that the highest risk of cancer was associated with aldrin.

KEYWORDS:

• Therapeutic teas
• obesity
• organochlorine pesticide residues
• health risk
• QuEchers

Acknowledgement

The authors acknowledge the Chemistry Department of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Ile-Ife, Nigeria, for providing the research platform for this study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/19393210.2022.2127157

Additional information

Funding

The authors did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors for this research.