Assessment of Pesticide Residue Levels in Vegetables, Soil, and Water from Selected Subdivisions in the Northwest and West Regions of Cameroon

The assessment of pesticide residues in agricultural commodities is a critical component of global food safety and public health. Even though pesticides are essential for maintaining high crop yields and meeting the demands of a growing global population, their persistence in the environment and presence in the human diet pose significant toxicological risks. This study evaluated consumer safety by analyzing pesticide residue levels in vegetables, soil, and water collected from matched agricultural sites. It assessed risks by comparing detected concentrations against established Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs). Twenty-four vegetable samples, six soil samples, and six water samples were analyzed. The Multi-Residue QuECHERS Buffered AOAC 2007.01 method was used for sample analysis. The results showed the presence of pesticide residues in 16.7% of the vegetables, with chlorpyrifos-methyl and chlorothalonil being the detected compounds. After quantification, the concentrations of chlorpyrifos-methyl and chlorothalonil in celery from Foumbot (2.5 mg/kg) and Babadjou (62.1 mg/kg) exceeded their respective Codex Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) of 0.05 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg respectively. Furthermore, phenol-2,4-bis (1,1-dimethylethyl), was detected in all soil samples. No residue was detected in the water samples. The study revealed a critical issue of pesticide residue exceedance in vegetables, posing a direct food safety risk. The soil contamination with phenol-2,4-bis (1,1-dimethylethyl) points to a separate environmental concern, suggesting diverse sources of pollution in the regions.