Human Health Risk of Dietary Intake of Some Organochlorine Pesticide Residues in Camels Slaughtered in the Districts of Al-Qassim Region, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Abstract Organochlorine residues were detected in 54/200 of muscles and 55/200 of livers of camels slaughtered in different districts of Al-Qassim region, Saudi Arabia, by using GC/MS analysis. The ΣDDT residues (Σ-DDT = p,p'-DDT + p,p'-DDE + p,p'-DDD + p,p'-DDA) in muscles and livers were the most frequent. The levels and distribution of residues varied with location. Al-Qassim region population's average estimated daily intake (EDI) was between 0.0 and 12.74 μg/kg body weight/day, and the hazard index [EDI/acceptable daily intake (ADI)] was higher than unity for ΣDDT and lindane in some samples. The intakes were much higher than the ADIs in some districts of Al-Qassim region, and the exposure level of all tested residues was high enough to produce health risk, suggesting the need for regular monitoring programs for pesticide residues in camel meat at the national level to protect consumers' health.