ID :
11157
Tue, 07/01/2008 - 09:53
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/11157
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FAO, Govt improve Pesticide Residue Testing
(KPL) - Some 12 participants received certificates at an official ceremony in Vientiane Capital, mid-June, which concluded a two week laboratory course on pesticide residue analysis.
Training was provided as part of the National Plan for Capacity Development
in Pesticide Residue Testing. This plan was drawn up in 2007 in a
collaborative effort of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the
Ministry of Health and Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) with the aim
of making best use of limited resources to strengthen the analytical
capacity of government of Lao PDR to face the challenge of emerging use of
these agricultural chemicals.
The training was facilitated by Food and Drug Quality Control Centre of
Ministry of Health, where young chemistry professionals from five different
government laboratories practiced how to prepare samples and measure
pesticide residue levels from common foods like rice, vegetables and water.
Although only few samples were analyzed during the course, low levels of
prohibited pesticides were found in some of the samples.
Basic screening of fruits and vegetables by Ministry of Agriculture and
Forestry has shown that there is an urgent need to develop improved capacity
to accurately analyze pesticide residues in food. With a newly acquired
chromatographic technique there is possibility to identify and quantify
residues of different pesticides at extremely low concentrations. Even
levels as low as parts in billion can be measured; this roughly equals to
only drop of water in medium-sized swimming pool!
Pesticide residues can end up in food after plants have been treated with
chemicals to prevent crop damage from pests, diseases or weeds. Residues may
also end up in food if crops were grown on contaminated soil or irrigated
with contaminated water.
Misuse and overuse of pesticides in the fields
increases the risk of finding residues in food. High levels in food and
especially use of banned pesticides does pose a specific health risks for
all of us. Variation of possible health effects is broad, but most severe
risks associated to pesticides include birth defects, nervous damage and
other effects that may occur over a long period of time.
This training was carried out in collaboration with government agencies and
UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and is a part of extensive
project to improve food safety in Lao PDR.
Training was provided as part of the National Plan for Capacity Development
in Pesticide Residue Testing. This plan was drawn up in 2007 in a
collaborative effort of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the
Ministry of Health and Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) with the aim
of making best use of limited resources to strengthen the analytical
capacity of government of Lao PDR to face the challenge of emerging use of
these agricultural chemicals.
The training was facilitated by Food and Drug Quality Control Centre of
Ministry of Health, where young chemistry professionals from five different
government laboratories practiced how to prepare samples and measure
pesticide residue levels from common foods like rice, vegetables and water.
Although only few samples were analyzed during the course, low levels of
prohibited pesticides were found in some of the samples.
Basic screening of fruits and vegetables by Ministry of Agriculture and
Forestry has shown that there is an urgent need to develop improved capacity
to accurately analyze pesticide residues in food. With a newly acquired
chromatographic technique there is possibility to identify and quantify
residues of different pesticides at extremely low concentrations. Even
levels as low as parts in billion can be measured; this roughly equals to
only drop of water in medium-sized swimming pool!
Pesticide residues can end up in food after plants have been treated with
chemicals to prevent crop damage from pests, diseases or weeds. Residues may
also end up in food if crops were grown on contaminated soil or irrigated
with contaminated water.
Misuse and overuse of pesticides in the fields
increases the risk of finding residues in food. High levels in food and
especially use of banned pesticides does pose a specific health risks for
all of us. Variation of possible health effects is broad, but most severe
risks associated to pesticides include birth defects, nervous damage and
other effects that may occur over a long period of time.
This training was carried out in collaboration with government agencies and
UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and is a part of extensive
project to improve food safety in Lao PDR.
