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.