Investigating organophosphorus pesticides in dates from Khesht City (Iran): Impact of washing and assessment of the health risks

Abstract

Dates are rich in nutrients, making them popular all over the world as healthy fruits. Due to the use of pesticides by gardeners to control pests in date palm farms, date fruits may contain pesticides, which could potentially endanger the health of consumers. In this study, date fruit samples at three different growth stages (green fruit, unripe date, date) were collected from the groves of Khesht city. The residues of 15 organophosphorus pesticides in water-washed and unwashed samples were measured using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The results showed that the residue levels of all organophosphorus pesticides measured were below the maximum residue limits recommended by FAO and CODEX. Based on the data, washing date fruits with water can effectively reduce the residual amount of organophosphorus pesticides, thereby helping to reduce the intake of pesticides. Moreover, the results of the risk assessment showed that consumption of unripe and ripe dates from Khesht has no carcinogenic (<10–6) or non-carcinogenic (HI<1) effects on adults. However, Future studies should analyze the soil and irrigation water of palm groves for organophosphorus pesticide contamination. Increasing gardeners' awareness of pesticide risks to human health is crucial for responsible pesticide use in horticulture.