Identification of Toxic Heavy Metals and Trace Elements in Pesticides Used by Shallots <i>(Allium Cepa Var. Aggregatum)</i> Farmers in Brebes District, Indonesia

Abstract

This study aims to identify the toxic heavy metals and trace elements in pesticides which are suspected to be a source of environmental pollution. The Neutron Activation Analysis method was used to identify and determine the concentration of toxic heavy metals and trace elements in pesticide samples. The pesticides used in this study consist of pesticides that are widely used by onion farmers in Brebes District, Central Java – Indonesia. These pesticides consist of two types (fungicides and insecticides) and in two different forms (solid and liquid). The results indicates that pesticides contain large levels of trace elements (Mg, Ti, Cl, Al, Ca, Br, Na, U, Mn, Br, La, Se, Hg, Rb, Fe, Eu, and Sb), and toxic heavy metals (As, Co, Cr, Ni, Zn, Cu, Hg). Generally, solid pesticides contain higher concentration of elements than liquid pesticides. In addition to releasing organic compounds, pesticides are also proven to be a source of certain trace elements (especially Mn, Br, Ti, Fe, Al) and toxic heavy metals (Cu, Zn, and Cr). They can affect the presence of these elements in the environment. *Corresponding author: sjuari@ugm.ac.id