Assessment of Dithiocarbamate Residues on Tomatoes Conventionally Grown in Uganda and the Effect of Simple Washing to Reduce Exposure Risk to Consumers.

Pesticide misuse by farmers poses health risks to consumers. This study assessed the level of dithiocarbamate residues in tomatoes acquired from 20 farmers and 25 market vendors in Wakiso District, how simple washing affects these residues, and the potential chronic health risk for Ugandans eating such tomatoes. Results revealed that mancozeb was the only reported dithiocarbamate, and 47.

Mancozeb Residue on Tomatoes in Central Uganda.

Background: Mancozeb belongs to a group of pesticides known as dithiocarbamates (DTC) that are a non-systemic group of pesticides extensively used in Uganda to protect crops from fungal diseases.

Objectives: This study was done in 5 selected districts of Central Uganda with a focus on markets and farms to investigate the current mancozeb concentrations on tomatoes and identify key areas of improvement to minimize human exposure.

Methods: Tomato samples were analyzed for mancozeb residue determined as carbon disulfide (CS) by gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC-MS).