Analysis of organochlorine pesticides residues in fish from Edko Lake (North of Egypt) using eco-friendly method and their health implications for humans

Levels of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) residues in tilapia fish and their health risk associated with the consumption of fish from Edko lake, Egypt were determined. The quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe method (QuEChERS) was used for extraction and clean-up of 18 OCPs residues from fish followed by GC-ECD and GC-ITD analytical tools were employed for identification of OPs. Out of the 18 OCPs, only heptachlorepoxide, p,p-DDE, dieldrin, p,p-DDD, and endrin ketone were detected in muscles of fish with concentrations of 0.1144, 0.2119, 0.4352, 0.1196, and 0.1323 µg/Kg bw, respectively. Results of the risk assessment calculations showed that dieldrin had a health risk index of more than one. This means that there was a health risk to adults associated with the consumption of fish. On the other hand, heptachlorepoxide, p,p-DDE, p,p-DDD, and endrin ketone did not show any direct health risk. Contamination of fish, collected from Edko lake in Egypt, with residues of OCPs might pose health implications if fish were consumed fresh.