<i>Pyrethrins</i> In Soil and Water From Selected Pyrethrum Growing Areas In Nakuru County, Kenya

Abstract

Introduction: Pyrethrum also known as Chrysanthemum is a plant from which compounds known as pyrethrins are derived. The pyrethrins have  been used for many years as insecticides. Incidentally due to their high instability they have slowly been replaced by synthetic pyrethroids.  Pyrethrins are generally regarded as safe compared to the pyrethroids. However, the amounts released into the environment have not been well documented especially in pyrethrum growing regions.
Objective:  The aim of the study was to determine the concentration of pyrethrins that come from pyrethrum plants and released into the  environment through their use as insecticides, thus, into drinking water and soil, in pyrethrum growing regions in Kenya.
Methodology: Quantification to amounts of pyrethrins from pyrethrum plants, in soil and water bodies in and around pyrethrum farms in Kiambogo and Naivasha (Nakuru County). The study was carried out using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Water samples (0.5L) were collected from the following water bodies: rivers, streams, dams, wells and boreholes near or within pyrethrum farms.
Conclusion: It was established that, the quantity of pyrethrins present in water and soil samples were
below detectable levels within the WHO recommended range. Hence safe for the environment,
more so for the farmers and the people living around pyrethrum farms.

Key words: Pyrethrum, pyrethrins, chromatography, water, soil.