Asia Pacific Environmental and Occupational Health Journal

The study was conducted to analyse four Organophosphorus (OP) pesticide namely Chlorpyrifos, Diazinon, Fenitrothion and Quinalphos residues in cabbage. Fifty samples were collected from five different local markets of Dhaka city namely Rampura, Kawran Bazar, Taltola Bazar, Jatrabari and Mohammadpur Krishi Market during September 2016 to March 2017. The collected samples were extracted using Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe (QuEChERS) extraction technique and analyzed by Gas Chromatography (GC) coupled with Flame Thermionized Detector (FTD) and Electron Capture Detector (ECD).  Total 6 samples (12%) contained pesticide residues and interestingly all of them 8 were above the maximum residue limits (MRLs) set by European Commission (EC). Among the four organophosphorus insecticide tested only Chlopyrifos and Diazinon were detected above the MRLs. This study reflects a snapshot scenario of pesticide contamination in one of the common winter vegetable available in the local markets of Dhaka city, which is related to the consumer safety.