Toxicity Status and Risks of Common Active Ingredients in Open Markets

Abstract

Agrochemical stores in selected geographical locations in North Central Nigeria were surveyed, a structured questionnaire administered and students of selected Universities and staff of the Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Development were sampled. Seventeen active ingredients: Paraquat dichloride, Glyphosate, Permethrin + pyriproxyfen, Dimethylamine salt, Cypermethrin, Chlorpyrifos, Dichlorvos, Lambda-cyhalothrin, 2,2-dichlorovinyl Dimethyl phosphate, Hexaconazole, Imidacloprid, Dimethoate, Nicosulfuron, Profenofos + cypermethrin, S-metolachlor, Carbendazim, and Mancozeb were recorded, and dominated by herbicides and insecticides. Toxicity analysis of active ingredients in open markets based on the recommendation of international standard organizations showed that some common active ingredients were not approved and some others were not listed for agricultural use. Many of the active ingredients negatively affect plant pollinators, aquatic animals, are highly toxic to birds, honey bees, and poses risk to wildlife. Some others are a possible carcinogen, fatal if inhaled, highly hazardous with high environmental toxicity posing a serious health risk to humans by disrupting the endocrine system, inducing heritable mutations in germ cells, impair fertility and reproductive toxicity.