Concentration and public health risk of DDT metabolites in different food items in Africa:Systematic review and metal analysis

Abstract

Abstract DDT is banned in many countries due to its persistency and negative impact on humans and the environment. However, it is continued to be used in many low-income countries, notably those in Africa, therefore exposing people in the region to various health threats. The current paper attempts to provide evidence regarding the concentration of DDT metabolites (pp DDT, pp DDD, and pp DDE) in a variety of food items in Africa. The preferred reporting item for systematic reviews and meta-analysis protocols was used to conduct this work. SCOPUS, PubMed, Web of Science, and other databases were used to retrieve articles using key words, Boolean logic operators, and MeSH terms. A total of 2002 studies were retrieved, of which 18 articles were included in the final analysis. The mean residue of pp DDT in vegetables, fruit, meat, fish, milk, cereals and khat was 0.195, 0.174, 0.028, 0.165, 0.056 and 0.043 mg/kg, respectively. The mean residue of pp DDD in vegetables, fruit, meat and fish, milk, and khat was 0.198, 0.011, 0.224, 0.068, and 0.021 mg/kg, respectively. The mean pp DDE residue in cereals, meat and fish, milk, vegetables, fruit, and khat was 0.57, 0.1259, 0.089, 0.1184, 0.029, and 0.0385 mg/kg, respectively. The metabolites in most food categories were higher than the recommended level, therefore posing major health risks to the public. Designing appropriate and effective pesticide management and safety measures, including tighter governmental regulation, is essential in the region.