Abstract
The aim of this paper was to assess residue content of plant protection products in selected herbs: Achillea millefolium L., Cichorium intybus L., Equisetum arvense L., Polygonum persicaria L., Plantago lanceolata L., and Plantago major L. The study comprises herbs growing in their natural habitat, 1 and 10 m away from crop fields. The herbs, 30 plants of each species, were sampled during the flowering stage between 1 and 20 July 2014. Pesticide residue content was measured with the QuECHERS method in the dry matter of leaves, stalks, and inflorescence, all mixed together. Out of six herb species growing close to wheat and maize fields, pesticide residues were found in three species: A. millefolium L., E. arvense L., and P. lanceolata L. Most plants containing the residues grew 1 m away from the wheat field. Two active substances of fungicides were found: diphenylamine and tebuconazole, and one active substance of insecticides: chlorpyrifos-ethyl. Those substances are illegal to use on herbal plants. Samples of E. arvense L. and P. lanceolata L. contained two active substances each, which constituted 10 % of all samples, while A. millefolium L. contained one substance, which is 6.6 % of all samples.
Highlights
The use of plant protection products in agriculture results in economic benefits but can be hazardous to the environment, in particular to people and animals (Diez et al 2006; Łozowicka 2009)
The plants, leaves, stalks, and inflorescence were dried at the temperature of 105 °C and ground, pesticide residues being determined with the QuECHERS method
Three active substances were found in the analyzed herbs: diphenylamine, tebuconazole, and chlorpyrifos
Summary
The use of plant protection products in agriculture results in economic benefits but can be hazardous to the environment, in particular to people and animals (Diez et al 2006; Łozowicka 2009). Pesticides belong to substances which are the most toxic and are persistent; they do not break down have ability to bioaccumulate, and can be mobile in the environment. They can become mutagenic, carcinogenic, teratogenic, and allergenic. Human food and livestock feed should not contain pesticide residues over the maximum residue limits (MRL). The Polish law setting such maximum residue limits in foods has been in force since 1993. Maximum residue limits were unified in all EU member states by Commission Regulation (EC) No 839/2008 of 31 July 2008 (Polish Committee for Standardization 2008). Pesticide residues monitoring should comprise more and more active substances and foodstuff
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