Dietary Exposure of Filipinos to Pesticide Residues in Rice (Oryza sativa) Using National Theoretical Maximum Daily Intake (NTMDI) Approach

Abstract

Exposure to pesticides, at levels above the regulatory limits, is detrimental to health. Rice, being a staple food of Filipinos, is a significant vector of pesticide residues in the diet. The current study aimed to determine the exposure of Filipinos to different pesticide residues in well-milled rice using the National Theoretical Maximum Daily Intake (NTMDI) approach. The NTMDI of 71 permitted pesticide active ingredients (PAIs) was estimated using the 2013 national food consumption data, established maximum residue limits (MRL), and the estimated average weight of the population groups. Estimates were then compared with the acceptable daily intake (ADI) for each PAI. The top six PAIs were then subjected to probabilistic analysis of exceeding the ADI. Results showed that all Filipino population groups were at risk of exposure to thiram, isoprocarb, and carbofuran with a 100% probability of exceeding the ADI. Exposures of Filipinos to these PAIs across all population groups were up to 870, 435, and 348% ADI, respectively. Infants and children were the most at-risk populations due to their low body weight. The NTMDI estimates, therefore, recognize the need to conduct a more refined dietary exposure assessment on the identified PAIs.