Kanchanpur: A recent inspection in Jhalari Bazaar, located in Shuklaphanta Municipality-10, has revealed that vegetables sold in the area contain harmful levels of pesticide residues, posing significant risks to human health.

The testing was conducted by the Pesticide Residue Rapid Analysis Laboratory Unit Office in Attariya, Kailali. According to Rajendra Prasad Bhatta, Deputy Technical Assistant at the unit, bitter gourd samples collected from local shops were found to contain 14.857% carbamate and 60.599% organophosphate pesticide residues—well beyond the safe consumption limit.

Pesticide Safety Thresholds
Vegetables are considered safe to eat if pesticide content is below 35%. If the residue level falls between 35% and 45%, the produce can only be consumed after a waiting period or quarantine. However, any level above 45% renders the produce inedible and subject to immediate disposal, Bhatta explained.

Contaminated Vegetables Destroyed
Out of 10 samples collected from six vendors, only bitter gourd was deemed unfit for consumption. Other tested vegetables—including cucumber, gourd, mustard, okra, potato, bodi (long beans), and pumpkin—had pesticide residue levels ranging from 0.150% to 33.948%, falling within safe or conditionally edible limits. Mustard contained the highest among these, with 33.948% organophosphate.

The contaminated bitter gourd was seized and destroyed on the spot. The agriculture branch of Shuklaphanta Municipality has issued a warning to the farmers involved, urging them to avoid using harmful pesticides.

Ongoing Regional Monitoring
This incident follows a similar case two weeks ago in the Mahendranagar vegetable market, where a cucumber sample also tested above safe pesticide limits. As part of a broader effort, the lab has tested 2,167 vegetable samples across all nine districts of Sudurpaschim Province. The results revealed:

-16 samples were inedible due to high pesticide content.

-8 samples required quarantine before consumption.

-2,143 samples were within the safe limit.

In Kanchanpur district alone, 9 out of 822 samples were found to be inedible, while Kailali had 5 inedible samples out of 624 tested.

Health Risks and Call for Awareness
Paramananda Bhatta, Head of the Health Department at Shuklaphanta Municipality, warned that consuming vegetables contaminated with high levels of pesticides can cause stomach pain, vomiting, digestive issues, headaches, and even paralysis. Long-term exposure may lead to serious conditions such as colon, liver, or skin cancer, he added.

Bhatta stressed the urgent need for farmer education and awareness, encouraging a shift toward organic and safer farming practices. He called on agricultural technicians to visit farming communities and educate growers about the health hazards associated with excessive pesticide use.