A Cross-Sectional Survey on Carbamate Residues in Greenhouse Vegetables and Soil and Relevant Health Impact on Growers in Suburban Areas in Yinchuan

Objective To evaluate the level of carbamate pesticide residues in greenhouse vegetables and soil, as well as its association with self-reported health conditions of growers in Yinchuan suburban areas.

Methods Thirty-five greenhouses were randomly selected from a vegetable greenhouse park in a town in Yinchuan. Soil and vegetable samples were collected by five-spot sampling method and detected for seven carbamate pesticide residues using high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence assay. Local residents who had lived more than five years in the town were divided into pesticide exposure group (n=310) and control group (n=143) by if they engaged in greenhouse operations and if they used pesticides. A self-conscious symptom questionnaire survey was also conducted.

Results The detection rate of carbamate pesticides was 25.71% in the 35 greenhouse vegetable samples and 65.71% in the 35 soil samples (χ²=11.283, P < 0.05). Statistically significant differences were found in the detection rates of carbamate pesticides among selected vegetables (P=0.006). The residues of both carbofuran and carbaryl showed a linear regression relationship between soil and vegetable samples (b=1.905 or 0.339, both Ps < 0.05). According to the results of the self-conscious symptom questionnaire, the reporting rates of seven items such as cough and dizziness were higher in the exposed group than in the control group (all Ps < 0.05).

Conclusion Carbamate pesticide residues exist in greenhouse vegetables and soil in Yinchuan suburban areas. In addition, a higher self-conscious symptom reporting rate is found in the greenhouse workers than in the control group.