Abstract
The presence of pesticide residues in vegetable and fruit products, as a consequence of inappropriate application in some cases, constitutes a risk to the health of the exposed population. In Mexico, the official norm, NOM-003-STPS-1999, only allows the use of pesticides with the phytosanitary registry, the responsible state commission for the control of the process and use of pesticides and toxic substances, which recommends doses and permitted crops. Despite the above, it is still common to find pesticide residues in some vegetable products. In this study, the following were detected: Chlorpyriphos, Dimetomorph I, Malathion, Omethoate, Carbendazim, and Imidacloprid in Nopal. The study was carried out in two collection centers located in the state of Morelos. In total, sixty samples were taken, thirty for each collection center, for a period of 10 months. To determine the pesticide residues, the analytical methodology was used, according to the guide, SANTE/11945/2015; in a laboratory accredited by the Mexican Accreditation Entity A. C. in the norm, NMX-EC-17025-IMNC-2006. The procedure for extracting analytes was carried out using the method, QuEChERS. The highest concentration of the pesticides detected in the samples obtained from the non-Certified Supply Center were Chlorpyrifos 0.309 mg/kg (MRL 0.01), Dimetomorf I 0.029 mg/kg (MRL 0.01), Malathion 0.155 mg/kg (MRL 0.01), Omethoate 0.032 (MRL 0.01), Carbendazim 0.090 mg/kg (MRL 0.01), and Imidacloprid 0.058 mg/kg (MRL 0.01). Thirty percent of the samples analyzed showed pesticide residues; the most frequent were Carbendazim. The results for the estimated daily intake (EDI) oscillated between 6.5 × 10−5 and 1.3 × 10−4 mg/kg body weight for the vegetable, Nopal. In principle, it could be concluded that the consumption of Nopal with pesticide residues does not represent any toxicological risk for human health, however, the risk cannot be ruled out due to the intake of other vegetables and fruits that are cultivated in the Mexican Republic, which probably present pesticide residues, which together would raise potential risks to human health.
Highlights
The use of pesticides generates residues represents a risk to the environment and human health [1].To ensure the safety of agricultural products and their derivatives, maximum residue limits (MRLs) have been established worldwide [2,3].In México, the official norm, NOM-003-STPS-1999, only allows the use of pesticides with phytosanitary registry, buckskin, the responsible state commission for the control of the process and use of pesticides and toxic substances, which recommends doses and permitted crops [4].Inappropriate use may involve health risks, environmental pollution, and interfere with international trade [5]
The limit of detection (LOD) was calculated from the calibration graph obtained for each compound according to Miller and Miller (2004), using the concentration that provides a signal that is equal to the signal corresponding to the blank (YB = Sy/x ), plus three times the standard deviation of the blank (SB = a) [18]: LOD = YB + 3 × SB
It could be concluded that the consumption of Nopal with pesticide residues does not represent any toxicological risk for human health; the risk cannot be ruled out due to the intake of other vegetables and fruits that are cultivated in the Mexican Republic, which probably present pesticide residues, together raising potential risks to human health
Summary
The use of pesticides generates residues represents a risk to the environment and human health [1].To ensure the safety of agricultural products and their derivatives, maximum residue limits (MRLs) have been established worldwide [2,3].In México, the official norm, NOM-003-STPS-1999, only allows the use of pesticides with phytosanitary registry, buckskin, the responsible state commission for the control of the process and use of pesticides and toxic substances, which recommends doses and permitted crops [4].Inappropriate use may involve health risks, environmental pollution, and interfere with international trade [5]. The use of pesticides generates residues represents a risk to the environment and human health [1]. To ensure the safety of agricultural products and their derivatives, maximum residue limits (MRLs) have been established worldwide [2,3]. Inappropriate use may involve health risks, environmental pollution, and interfere with international trade [5]. If a vegetable exporter is not careful enough to comply with the differing standards in different countries, such mistakes could lead to the detection of pesticides on vegetables for which maximum allowable levels had not been established, resulting in violations [6]. It is important to analyze and monitor pesticides in foods; for accurate assessment of exposure, levels, and health risks, accurate analytical results are needed [7]. The Nopal acquired importance in the international market, mainly in the United States of North America, where the consumption increased by 128.0%
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