Pesticides, metals, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in date fruits: A probabilistic assessment of risk to health of Iranian consumers

Abstract

The present study assessed the risk posed by simultaneous oral exposure to a mixture of 22 pesticides, 6 metals, and 16 Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in fruits of date palms, to Iranian consumers. Various cultivars of dates were collected from six regions in Iran. Concentrations of organic compounds and metals in 900 samples of date fruits were quantified by chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), respectively. No significant associations between any of the contaminants and cultivation zones were observed. Calculated Hazard Quotients (HQ) was <1.0 for all pesticides and calculated total Hazard Index (HI) values indicated no major risk. For the carcinogenic metals, estimated Incremental Life Time Cancer Risk (ILCRs) at the 50th and 95th percentiles were respectively 2.25 × 10−7 and 7.10 × 10−7 for As, and respectively 1.24 × 10-9 and 5.38 × 10-9 for Pb which indicated no risk. Notably, non-carcinogenic metals did not exhibit a significant risk (HI values <1.0 for both cases). In addition, at the 50th and 95th percentiles, ILCR and Margins of Exposure (MoE) for PAHs indicated no risk. Based on sensitivity analysis, concentrations of analytes had the greatest effects on risk with regard to carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic assessment endpoints. However, consumers are aware of the composition of the fruits they eat, because harmful substances in fruits normally cannot be perceived by tasting or smelling. It can also be noted that general awareness of Iranian farmers need to be upgraded for a more cautious utilization of pesticides and fertilizers in agricultural practices. Moreover, our results about the PAHs indicated that the consumption of dates grown near the industrial sites is risky and should be completely avoided.