Investigation of the active composition of products traded in local street bazaars for pest control

Abstract

Objective: In this study, it was aimed to determine qualitatively the substances in the composition of biocidal products and plant protection sold in public areas with reference to current use of prohibited pesticides detected in toxicological studies conducted in Antalya province. Methods: A total of 19 samples sold under the name of DDT, insecticide, termiticide were gathered from public markets, illegal suppliers and districts where agricultural activities take place in Antalya province. To identify ingredients of products, after 100 mg of each was weighed and dissolved in 10 ml methanol, it was diluted with isooctane, and tested to instrumental analysis on a Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (Shimadzu QP2010 Ultra). Chromatograms gathered from scan mode were matched with the content of Wiley/NIST which has a comprehensive pesticide library. Results: AAs a result of qualitative evaluation, it was observed that dichlorvos, aldicarb and cypermethrin as well as Dursban whose active ingredient is chlorpyrifosethyl in the samples. In addition to these active ingredients, inactive ingredients (extender) such as sebacic acid, mercaptane, propionic acid were detected at varying ratios in the samples. While chlorpyrifos-ethyl was mostly detected in 31.6% of the active content available, sebacic acid (47.4%) was mostly detected as extender ingredient as well. Conclusion: It has been observed that there are materials that are classified as carcinogenic by USEPA and may pose a threat to human health in the content of some of the products analyzed, or that the products which do not contain any active ingredient affecting incect pests have been used in commercial activities away from control and supervision. It is considered that the unconscious implementation of such products by persons with insufficient knowledge may constitute a serious risk in terms of both user and environment.