OrganochlorinePesticides Residue Levels in Airand Soilfrom Nairobiand Mount Kenyaregions, Kenya

Abstract

Thestudy investigates the organochlorine pesticides residue level in air and soilat sites in Nairobi and Mount Kenya regions, Kenya. Air and soil samples from four sites were collected and analysed for selected organochlorine pesticides (OCP) using gas chromatography equipped with electron capture detector and confirmed using GC/MS. The targeted pesticides were α-HCH, β-HCH, γ-HCH (lindane), αendosulfan, βendosulfan and Endosulfansulfate. The samples were collected seasonally between the monthsof July 2012 and April 2013. The residue levels of organochlorine pesticides in air samples during month of October ranged between0.027±0.004 to5.735±0.575 ng/M 3 , while during the Month of February the concentration ranged between 0.013±0.00 to 9.375±1.65 ng/M 3 and the levels during the month of April ranged between 0.013±0.00 to 11.508±0.26ng/M 3 . Organochlorine pesticide detected in soil during month of October ranged between BDL to 131.206 ± 14.41ng/Kg, while during the Month of February the concentration ranged between 0.418± 0.01to 38.361 ±5.39 ng/Kg and the levels during the month of April ranged between 0.406± 0.00to 26.877± 8.89 ng/Kg. The residue levels of the analysedPOPs in air and soil were generally high at the Dandora and Industrial area sites. This indicates that industrial activities such as Tetra-Pac, general plastics, Phillips industries waste and stock piles are the main sources of the new POPs in Nairobi. The high concentration level poses a health risk to residents of Dandora and Industrial area workers.