Variability of Pesticide Residues in Vegetables from the Marketplaces in Jinan City

Abstract

Abstract In order to provide technological support for risk estimation of pesticide residues taken from vegetables, the residues of pesticide in vegetables in Jinan City, China, were investigated. Moreover, the variability of pesticide residues in vegetables was explored, and the variability factor was calculated. The level of pesticide residue was studied by statistical method. The variability factor was calculated using the Harrell-Davis method in accordance with principles recommended by the JMPR. In addition, the procedure of evaluation was validated according to the principles laid down by the JMPR (Joint Meeting on Pesticide Residues). The detection rate of pesticide residues in all marketplace samples was less than 20% in Jinan City. The unqualified rate of vegetables was low (0.6%). The chlorothalonil was found as the pesticide with the highest rate of detection. The vegetables with the highest rate of pesticide residues detected were leafy vegetables. The relationship between variability factor and mean value of concentrations of contaminations was expressed by the formula, v = 4.9 × C m e a n * 0.15 . The pesticide residues in vegetables from Jinan City is low. The evaluated variability factor is larger than that the value recommended by the JMPR, however, less than the default value used for acute intake assessment of pesticide residues in UK in most cases.