Pesticides and heavy metals levels in Egyptian leafy vegetables and some aromatic medicinal plants.

A total of 835 samples of leafy vegetables and some aromatic medicinal plants were collected from five different areas of Egypt during 1999. Ninety-seven per cent of the leafy vegetables were contaminated with heavy metals with 39% exceeding the maximum limits for each element. Cadmium was detected in 78 of 116 samples of leafy vegetable, although without any exceeding the maximum limits.

Monitoring of pesticide residues in Egyptian fruits and vegetables during 1997.

A total of 2318 domestic samples of different types of fruits and vegetables were collected from eight Egyptian local markets in six different regions of the country. All samples were examined for residues of 54 pesticides, including organophosphorus, organonitrogen, organohalogen and certain pyrethroides. However, dithiocarbamates were analysed in only 318 samples.

Monitoring of pesticide residues in Egyptian fruits and vegetables during 1996.

Samples of the most common fruits and vegetables were collected from 8 local markets in 6 governorates. These 1,579 samples were analyzed for residues of 53 pesticides, which included organophosphorus and organonitrogen compounds and some synthetic pyrethroids. Samples were also analyzed for residues of organochlorine pesticides, although they had been prohibited from use several years ago.

Monitoring pesticide residues in Egyptian fruits and vegetables in 1995.

Organophosphorus, dithiocarbamates, and some synthetic pyrethroids pesticides, which are commonly used in Egypt for pest control, were monitored, as well as persistent organochlorines, which had been prohibited from use several years ago. Fruit and vegetable samples (397) were collected from 8 local markets and examined for 52 pesticides. Of all analyzed samples, 42.

Organochlorine and organophosphorus pesticide residues in food from Egyptian local markets.

A market basket survey was conducted to monitor organochlorine and organophosphorus pesticide residues in potatoes, citrus fruits, and fish collected from local Egyptian markets. Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) of the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues for gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) in potatoes were exceeded in 8 samples and for DDT in 2 samples. The aging of HCH and DDT indicated a recent use of both pesticides during the potato storage period between cultivation seasons.