Abstract
BackgroundVegetables and rice produced in Cuba may contain residue of pesticides that exceed the maximum residue limits (MRLs). Pesticide residues on crop samples from Sancti Spíritus province were analyzed. Based on these residue data, a risk assessment of consumer exposure was conducted.MethodsSamples collected during the 2017, 2018, and 2019 periods were analyzed using UPLC-MS/MS and GC/ECD chromatography techniques. A deterministic risk assessment was performed, using consumption data collected by the authors. Also, a probabilistic risk assessment was worked out with @RISK for the Monte Carlo simulation.ResultsA broad range of pesticides were detected in the samples. Most of the detected active ingredients were insecticides and fungicides. A considerable part of the detected pesticide residues exceeded the EU and Cuban MRLs. However, the deterministic risk assessment revealed that the consumer risk of pesticide exposure is low. Only in the maximum exposure scenario children and adults were exposed to methamidophos residues in tomatoes higher than the acceptable daily intake.ConclusionsWhen a more realistic consumption (50th percentile) and higher (95th percentile) consumption pattern for tomatoes was assumed, the deterministic risk assessment found no chronic risk for children and adults being exposed to methamidophos present in the tomato samples. Furthermore, the probabilistic risk assessment concerning methamidophos exposure in tomato for children and adult strata showed no risk. To perform in the future a more accurate risk assessment for Cuban consumers it is important to have more detailed consumption data and an expanded dataset of the residues in different crops.
Highlights
The use of synthetic pesticides worldwide has become a basic need for some crops to ensure quantity and quality (Kim et al 2016; Souza Chaves et al 2017)
In a brief search was found that grain, vegetables, and tobacco are prioritized crops in the province agriculture, which receive a high amount of agrochemicals, i.e. synthetic pesticides (Fernandez et al 2018; Perdomo Hernández et al 2016)
Pesticide residue in crops The residues range found using the LC-MS/MS and GC-Gas Chromatography with Electron Capture Detector (ECD) technique is given in Tables 3 and 4 respectively, full tables are in Supplementary Materials 4 and 5
Summary
The use of synthetic pesticides worldwide has become a basic need for some crops to ensure quantity and quality (Kim et al 2016; Souza Chaves et al 2017). As described by Damalas and Koutroubas (2018) in their studies on agricultural development in developing countries, the need to increase yields of priority crops in the province to reduce imports led to the use of synthetic pesticides. In a brief search was found that grain (rice), vegetables (mainly tomato), and tobacco are prioritized crops in the province agriculture, which receive a high amount of agrochemicals, i.e. synthetic pesticides (Fernandez et al 2018; Perdomo Hernández et al 2016). Coupled with the use of synthetic pesticides, mainly in fruits and vegetables, there is a constant concern in the local population regarding the risk to human health and the environment reflected in various journalistic studies. Pesticide residues on crop samples from Sancti Spíritus province were analyzed Based on these residue data, a risk assessment of consumer exposure was conducted
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