Pesticide residues in fresh vegetables imported into the United Arab Emirates

Abstract

Use of pesticides has drastically increased in many countries. Unfortunately, excessive administration of pesticides may cause adverse health and environment effects. The present study assessed pesticide residues in 5560 vegetable samples that entered the United Arab Emirates (UAE) via ports of the Dubai Emirate during 2018 and 2019. Pesticide residues in vegetables were determined by liquid chromatography in tandem with mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and gas chromatography in tandem with mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). The presentation of the monitoring results was based on the maximum residue limit (MRL) criteria defined by European regulations for each pesticide in each product. A total of 79 different pesticides were identified in the tested samples. Pesticide residues at levels above the MRLs were detected in 30.5% of the samples. Overall, 15 pesticides (acephate, bifenthrin, carbendazim, chlorfenapyr, chlorpyrifos, deltamethrin, dimethoate, hexaconazole, metalaxyl, methamidophos, monocrotophos, omethoate, profenofos, tebuconazole, and triazophos) were detected above their MRLs in more than 50 samples. The results underline the need for continuous monitoring of pesticides in vegetables imported into the UAE.