Occurrence Of Pesticide Residues Research Articles

Polluted paradise: Occurrence of pesticide residues within the urban coastal zones of Santa Cruz and Isabela (Galapagos, Ecuador)

Although pesticides are frequently used for agriculture in the Galapagos Islands (Ecuador), there are, to date, no investigations of pesticide occurrences in its coastal waters. We examined the presence of pesticide residues in the coastal waters of urban areas in two islands of the Galapagos archipelago using a repeated sampling design. Quantification was performed by solid-phase extraction, followed by chemical analysis using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and gas chromatography-electron capture detector (GC-ECD). The diversity and concentration of pesticide residues in Santa Cruz island were higher compared to Isabela island. In total, sixteen pesticides were detected, including three persistent organic pollutants. Carbendazim (23.93 μg·L−1), cadusafos (4.74 μg·L−1), DDT (2.99 μg·L−1), diuron (1.61 μg·L−1) and aldrin (1.55 μg·L−1) were detected with the highest concentrations between samples. Repetitions in locations show that concentrations of pesticide residues varied considerably in space and time. Comparison with local products indicated agricultural activities on the islands as a possible source. Furthermore, evaluation through ecological risk quotients showed that the observed concentration levels of seven pesticides pose a relatively high risk for three biotic groups (i.e. algae, invertebrates and fishes). Taken together, this study provides insights into the need to regulate, monitor and assess the presence of pesticides in the islands. At a global scale, this study is moreover valuable for the many islands that are facing the same challenges.

Occurrence of pesticides residues in French beans, tomatoes, and kale in Kenya, and their human health risk indicators.

Residue levels of seven commonly used pesticides were determined in random samples of tomatoes, French beans, and kale collected from horticultural farms in Buuri, Imenti North, and Imenti South sub-counties in Meru, Kenya, just before delivery to the consumers. QuEChERS method for extraction followed by LC-MS/MS was used to determine the concentrations. The concentrations (μgkg-1 wet weight) in French beans, kale, and tomatoes ranged from below detection limit (BDL): BDL-48.65 (carbendazim), BDL-290.76 (imidacloprid), BDL-2.81 (acetamiprid), BDL-25.76 (azoxystrobin), BDL-105.18 (metalaxyl), BDL-0.15 (diazinon), and BDL-0.17(chlorpyrifos). The maximum residue levels determined in the horticultural produce from the three regions were 290μgkg-1 for imidacloprid in tomatoes from Buuri and 25.76μgkg-1for azoxystrobin in French beans from Imenti South. The pesticide residue levels generally were extremely low and met the MRLs set by EU and other countries, except for carbendazim and metalaxyl in French beans, and posed no concern to human health. The estimated daily intakes (EDI) (mgkg-1 BW/day) for the population of Meru County were very low ranging from 1.685 × 10-8 (acetamiprid) to 2.381 × 10-5 (imidacloprid) in tomatoes, 2.849 × 10-9 (metalaxyl) to 3.633 × 10-7 (azoxystrobin) in French beans, and 1.392 × 10-8 (diazinon) in kale, respectively. The health risk indices were subsequently extremely low for the detectable pesticide residues, ranging from 6.74 × 10-7 (acetamiprid) to 3.97 × 10-4 (imidacloprid) in tomatoes, 3.56 × 10-8 (metalaxyl) to 5.52 × 10-5 (chlorpyrifos) in French beans, and 6.96 × 10-5 (diazinon) in kale, respectively, indicating no health risk in the population, but their presence in these vegetables cannot be ignored as long-term exposure can still cause health risks.

Organochlorine pesticides in the soils of Cardamom Hill Reserve (CHR), Kerala, India: Geo spatial distribution, ecological and human health risk assessment

The present study assessed the organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) residues in the soils of Cardamom Hill Reserve (CHR), a tropical humid forest landscape of Idukki District of Kerala, India. The concentrations, spatial distribution, health risk for human (both adults and children) due to individual OCPs and ecological risks were estimated. Soil samples were collected randomly from 22 different sampling locations during May 2017 and 2018. The sample preparation was done by QuEChERS method. A total of 17 persistent Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) were determined by Gas chromatography in split less mode using Electron Capture Detector (ECD). The limit of detection and quantification for OCPs in the soils ranged from 1.57 to 3.74 ng/g and 4.78 to11.33 ng/g respectively. Spatial distributions of OCPs were evaluated using Arc GIS10.5.1 software. The most frequently found OCPs in the soils of the study area were endrin, β-endosulfan, the isomers of HCH, 4, 4′-DDD, dieldrin and endrin aldehyde. The concentration of ∑OCPs were ranged from 6.35 to 118.29 ng/g. Occurrence of pesticides residues in the soils of CHR is due to both ongoing and past usage. Human health risk assessment parameters like Lifetime average daily dose (LADD), incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) and hazard quotient (HQ) for human adults and children due to individual OCPs were also estimated. Estimated LADD were lower than the reference dose and acceptable daily intake. The estimated human health risks were lower than safe limit of non- cancer risk (HQ ≤ 1.0) and low carcinogenic risks (ILCR below 10–6) in these soils. Finding from the present study provided an overview of the current status of OCPs contamination in the soils for the exposed populations are essentially negligible.

2012, 2014년 한강수계 하천수 중 잔류농약 검출 양상

2012, 2014년 한강수계 하천수 중 잔류농약 검출 양상

Pesticide residues in herbal drugs: Evaluation of a database

For herbal drugs used for the production of medicinal products, the European Pharmacopoeia has established limits for pesticide residues in Chapter 2.8.13. For pesticide substances not listed in this chapter and whose presence is suspected the limits set by Regulation (EC) No. 396/2005 are applicable. This publication presents an evaluation of a database which includes 3.398.655 sets of data collected between 2011 and 2016 on the occurrence of pesticide residues in 376 herbal drugs. Based on such up-to-date information this contribution aims to support manufacturers of plant-based medicinal products in their individual risk assessment. This may include considerations on which substances are relevant for analysis and which testing frequencies are appropriate. The data show that a number of substances not listed in Ph.Eur. Chapter 2.8.13 can be considered relevant and therefore deserve particular attention within the risk assessment of the manufacturer. Vice versa, some Ph.Eur. substances did not show any positive results in a large number of analyses. For some further substances, the respective Ph.Eur. limits are exceeded only in a few cases. For herbal drugs from organic cultivation a remarkably lower number of positive findings was observed than for conventional cultivation. Regarding positive results for certain substances in organic products, sources other than the application of pesticides, e.g. from environment, packaging material or cross-contamination may be discussed.

Distribution of agricultural pesticides in the freshwater environment of the Guayas river basin (Ecuador)

The rapid increase and transition to more intensive agricultural activities in developing nations are often leading to misuse and overuse of pesticides, making their environment vulnerable for pesticide accumulation. In the present study, the Guayas river basin was taken as a representative case study to evaluate pesticide contamination of the Ecuadorean freshwater environment. Pesticide contamination was determined at 181 sampling sites by a multi-residue method using solid phase extraction (SPE) and pesticide residues were linked with agricultural land use activities to identify the main pollution sources. Moreover, the biological water quality status based on macroinvertebrate communities was determined at every location and the relation with the occurrence of pesticide residues was further investigated. Results showed that pesticide contamination of the freshwater environment was widely present in the Guayas river basin with detections at 108 sampling sites (60%). A total of 26 pesticide products were identified. Most frequently detected pesticides included cadusafos (62 locations), butachlor (21 locations) and pendimethalin (21 locations), with concentrations up to 0.081, 2.006 and 0.557 μg·L−1 respectively. Pesticide residues detected in this study did not significantly influence the biological water quality (p = 0.69), but were observed to be positively correlated with ammonium concentrations, supporting the assumed combined application of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in agriculture. These pesticide residues were also associated with one or more agricultural crops, with in particular the banana and rice industries identified as major pollution sources. Both high consumption rates and non-specific application methods, such as aerial spraying of banana plantations and application directly into the water layer of irrigated rice fields, may attribute to pesticide contamination of the freshwater environment of the Guayas river basin. It is therefore suggested that measures, e.g. legal regulations and awareness campaigns, taken to prevent environmental pollution and accumulation of pesticides primarily focus on these industries.

Relationship between geosorbent properties and field-based partition coefficients for pesticides in surface water and sediments of selected agrarian catchments: Implications for risk assessment

Studies on pesticide behavior, adsorption-likelihood, and bioavailability vis-a-vis geosorbent properties and seasons, are critical for understanding pesticide-fate and risks in pesticide-prone environments. We examined the relationship between geosorbent profiles of sediments (percentage sand, silt, clay, organic carbon content) across seasons and occurrence of pesticide residues in surface water and sediment of agricultural catchments at Owan, Ogbesse and Illushi communities of Edo State, Nigeria. Pesticide concentrations were measured monthly in samples of surface water and sediments across the selected sites for 18-months. Pesticide behavior and sorption-likelihoods were examined using partition coefficients Kd (sediment-water coefficient), Koc (sediment-water coefficient normalized for organic carbon) and Log Kow (octane-water coefficient); the relationship between Kd and Koc was also examined. Results of the principal component analysis (PCA) indicated that pesticide levels in sediment and surface water were positively associated with the rainy season, total organic content (TOC), percentage silt and clay in sediment. Field-derived pesticide partition coefficients (Kd < 100 and log Koc < 3) indicated that pesticide species were largely mobile and less likely to be retained in sediments by adsorption. As such, pesticides irrespective of solubility would end up in surface water, increasing risks for pelagic biota and humans sourcing river water for domestic use. Values of Log Kow indicate that organochlorines including DDT, dieldrin, endrin and heptachlor epoxide portend significant bioaccumulation risks to humans and biota across sites. The relationship between Kd and Koc for each site fitted into a quadratic model; it depicted a biphasic behavior of pesticide adsorption and desorption to sediments revealing that concentration of organic carbon across study sites was a limiting factor determining the extent of pesticide adsorption. This study demonstrates that understanding pesticide mobility using field-based partition coefficients could give a clearer picture of pesticide risks to biota and human populations.

Occurrence of pesticide residues in fish from south American rainfed agroecosystems

Environmental sustainability of South American rainfed agroecosystems is of current concern. In this work, we evaluate the occurrence of multiple pesticide residues in muscle tissue of wild fish species from two large rivers in South America (Uruguay and Negro Rivers). Two sampling campaigns (representing summer and winter crops) were performed during 2015 targeting a wide biodiversity of fish species used for human consumption (ranging from migratory to non-migratory and from detritivorous to top-predators). Three different localities associated to rainfed agriculture were assessed, two of them enclosed to a RAMSAR site (National Park “Esteros de Farrapos e Islas del Rio Uruguay”). Pesticide residues occurred in muscle tissue of 143 from 149 sampled fishes (96%). Thirty different pesticides were detected at concentrations from <1 to 194μgkg−1. Incidence of pesticides in fish were tightly related to: i) features of the contaminant: (Kow, environmental persistence and mobility) and ii) intensity of use of particular pesticides and land dedicated to rainfed agriculture. Trifloxystrobin, metolachlor and pyraclostrobin showed the highest rates of occurrence. Of great concern is that strobirulins have highest toxicity to fish from those detected compounds. From the pattern of pesticides occurring for non-migratory fish species it was possible to trend important spatial differences related to the intensity of rainfed agriculture. Results suggest a regular exposition of aquatic wild biota to sublethal concentrations of multiple semi-polar pesticides.

Target vs non-target analysis to determine pesticide residues in fruits from Saudi Arabia and influence in potential risk associated with exposure

The occurrence of pesticide residues in fruits was determined by a target method for 62 analytes and a wide scope screening method against a database of 500 pesticides. Limits of quantification (LOQs) were from 0.5 to 6.3 μg kg−1 for the target method and from 0.5 to 119 μg kg−1 for the non-target. Thirty samples: dates, apples, oranges, tangerines, lemons and grapefruits were selected because their high consumption, except lemons and grapefruits that were to cover all citrus fruits. Using the target method, 15 compounds (mostly insecticides and fungicides) out of 62 pesticides (organophosphorus, carbamates, pyrethroids, chloroacetanilides, triazines, triazoles, imidazoles, etc.) were detected. Residues were in 100% of the samples, 80% contained at or below maximum residue limits (MRLs), and 20% above. Non-target method identified several additional pesticides (cypronil, fludioxonil, boscalid and pyraclostrobin in apples). The highest acute risk were for acrinathrin, chlorpyrifos and imazalil with estimated short-term intake (ESTI) > 100% acute reference dose (ARfD), followed by imidacloprid and thiabendazole with ESTI ≥ 70% ARfD. The higher chronic risk were for ethion and fluvalinate with estimated daily intakes (EDIs) of 8.8 and 1.5% of the admissible daily intake (ADI), respectively.

Monitoring of Pesticide Residues in Commonly Used Fruits and Vegetables in Kuwait.

The presence of pesticide residues in primary and derived agricultural products raises serious health concerns for consumers. The aim of this study was to assess the level of pesticide residues in commonly consumed fruits and vegetables in Kuwait. A total of 150 samples of different fresh vegetables and fruits were analyzed for the presence of 34 pesticides using the quick easy cheap effective rugged and safe (QuEChERS) multi-residue extraction, followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) or liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Pesticide residues above the maximum residue limits (MRL) were detected in 21% of the samples and 79% of the samples had no residues of the pesticides surveyed or contained residues below the MRL. Multiple residues were present in 40% of the samples with two to four pesticides, and four samples were contaminated with more than four pesticide residues. Of the pesticides investigated, 16 were detected, of which imidacloprid, deltamethrin, cypermethrin, malathion, acetamiprid, monocrotophos, chlorpyrifos-methyl, and diazinon exceeded their MRLs. Aldrin, an organochlorine pesticide, was detected in one apple sample, with residues below the MRL. The results indicate the occurrence of pesticide residues in commonly consumed fruits and vegetables in Kuwait, and pointed to an urgent need to develop comprehensive intervention measures to reduce the potential health risk to consumers. The need for the regular monitoring of pesticide residues and the sensitization of farmers to better pesticide safety practices, especially the need to adhere to recommended pre-harvest intervals is recommended.

Occurrence of pesticide residues in Spanish beeswax

Beeswax from Spain was collected during 2016 to determine pesticide residues incidence. The 35 samples were divided in foundation, old combs, cappings or virgin beeswax to compare pesticide content between groups. Wax was screened for 58 pesticides or their degradation products by QuEChERS extraction and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Beeswax was uniformly contaminated with acaricides and, to a much lesser extent, with insecticide and fungicide residues. Virgin followed by cappings were less contaminated than foundation and old combs beeswax. The miticides applied in-hive had a contribution to average pesticide load higher than 95%. Compounds widely used as acaricides, as coumaphos (100%), fluvalinate (86%) and amitraz (83%), were the pesticides most frequently detected with maximum concentrations of 26,858, 3593 and 6884ng·g−1, respectively. Chlorfenvinphos, acrinathrin and flumethrin, also acaricides, were detected in 77, 71 and 54%, respectively. Frequencies of pesticides used in crops were 40% for chlorpyrifos, 29% for dichlofenthion, 9% for malathion, 6% for fenthion-sulfoxide and 3% for azinphos-methyl, carbendazim, ethion, hexythiazox, imazalil and pyriproxyfen. Pesticide assessment in beeswax could be an excellent monitoring tool to establish veterinary treatments applied by beekeepers and environmental contaminants exposure of honey bees.

유통 사료 중 잔류농약 다성분동시분석법 확립 및 모니터링

사료의 안전성은 우리가 먹는 축산식품 및 그 가공품의 안전성과 직결된다. 따라서 이 연구의 목적은 1) 사료 중 관리대상 농약의 동시분석법을 확립하고, 2) 국내외 사료 중 농약 잔류실태를 조사하여 원료부터의 축산식품의 안전성을 확보하고자 하였다. 농약 잔류실태 조사를 위해 국내 유통 사료 126점을 수거하였고, 농약잔류허용기준이 설정된 농약 121성분 중 동시분석이 가능한 105성분에 대해 분석법을 확립한 후 농약 잔류실태를 조사하였다. 농약 잔류실태 조사 결과에 따르면, 126점의 사료 중 106점(84.1%)이 불검출이었고, 20점(15.9%)에서 7성분이 농약잔류허용기준 이내로 검출되었다. 검출빈도가 높은 농약으로는 각각 5점에서 검출된 pirimiphos-methyl과 cyproconazole이었다. 이 밖에도 propiconazole, azoxystrobin, tricyclazole 등이 검출되었다. 이 결과들은 2015년 국내 유통 사료가 잔류허용기준 이하로 안전하게 관리되고 있음을 보여준다. 그럼에도 불구하고, 사료의 안전성 강화 및 불량사료 원천차단을 위해 지속적인 잔류 실태조사가 필요하다. Safe animal feed is important for the health of animals, the environment and for the safety of foods of animal origin. Therefore, the aims of this study were: 1) to validate simultaneous analytical method and 2) to investigate the amount of pesticide residues in animal feed from Republic of Korea as a part of official control. A total of 126 samples were collected in 2015 and analyzed for 105 pesticides. According to pesticides monitoring result, no residue was found in 84.1% of the samples, whereas 15.9% of samples contained pesticide residues below the maximum residue limits (MRLs). Pirimiphos-methyl and cyproconazole were the two most frequently found pesticides. The results show that all commercial feed monitored in 2015 were safe under the Korean MRL and occurrence of pesticide residues in animal feed could not be considered serious threats to human and animal health. However, continuous monitoring with tighter regulation for pesticide residues in animal feed is recommended.

Occurrence and spatial distribution of pesticide residues in butter and ghee (clarified butter fat) in Punjab (India).

The present study was undertaken to monitor organochlorine, organophosphate, and synthetic pyrethroid pesticide residues in butter (n = 55) and ghee (n = 56) samples collected from three different regions of Punjab. The estimation of pesticide residues was done by multiple residue analytical technique using gas chromatography equipped with GC-ECD and GC-FTD. The confirmation of residues was done on gas chromatography mass spectrometry in both selective ion monitoring (SIM) and scan mode. Results indicated the presence of hexacholorocyclohexane (HCH) and p,p' DDE as predominant contaminant in both butter and ghee. Residues of HCH were detected in 25 and 23% samples of butter and ghee, respectively, while residues of p,p' DDE were recorded in 29 and 25% of butter and ghee samples, respectively. None of the butter and ghee sample violated the MRL values of 200 ng g(-1) for HCH and 1250 ng g(-1) for dichorodiphenyl tricholorethane (DDT). The presence of endosulfan, cypermethrin, fenvalerate, deltamethrin, and chlorpyrifos were observed in a few butter and ghee samples at traces. The spatial variation for comparative occurrence of pesticide residues indicated higher levels in the south-western region of Punjab. Additionally, the temporal variation indicated the significant reduction of HCH and DDT levels in butter and ghee in Punjab.

Pesticides in Brazilian freshwaters: a critical review.

The widespread use of pesticides in agriculture can lead to water contamination and cause adverse effects on non-target organisms. Brazil has been the world's top pesticide market consumer since 2008, with 381 approved pesticides for crop use. This study provides a comprehensive literature review on the occurrence of pesticide residues in Brazilian freshwaters. We searched for information in official agency records and peer-reviewed scientific literature. Risk quotients were calculated to assess the potential risk posed to aquatic life by the individual pesticides based on their levels of water contamination. Studies about the occurrence of pesticides in freshwaters in Brazil are scarce and concentrated in few sampling sites in 5 of the 27 states. Herbicides (21) accounted for the majority of the substances investigated, followed by fungicides (11), insecticides (10) and plant growth regulators (1). Insecticides are the class of major concern. Brazil would benefit from the implementation of a nationwide pesticide freshwater monitoring program to support preventive, remediation and enforcement actions.

Risk assessment and ranking of pesticide residues in Chinese pears

The presence of pesticide residues in pears is a serious health concern. This study presents the results from a 2-year investigation (2013–2014) that used gas chromatography, GS/MS and UPLC/MS-MS to measure the levels of 104 pesticides in 310 pear samples. In 93.2% of the samples, 43 pesticides were detected, of which the maximum residue levels (MRLs) were exceeded in 2.6% of the samples. Multiple residues (two to eight compounds) were present in 69.7% of the samples; one sample contained nine pesticides and one sample contained 10. Only 6.8% of the samples did not contain residues. To assess the health risks, the pesticide residue data have been combined with daily pear consumption data for children and adult populations. A deterministic model was used to assess the chronic and acute exposures based on the Joint Meeting on Pesticide Residues (JMPR) method. A potential acute risk was demonstrated for children in the case of bifenthrin, which was found to be present at 105.36% of the acute reference dose (ARfD) value. The long-term exposure of the Chinese consumer to pesticide residues through the consumption of raw pears was far below the acceptable daily intake (ADI) criterion. Additionally, the matrix ranking scheme was used to classify risk subgroups of pesticides and pear samples. In general, 95.5% of samples were deemed to be safe and nine pesticides were classified as being of a relatively high risk. The findings indicated that the occurrence of pesticide residues in pears should not be considered a serious public health problem. Nevertheless, a more detailed study is required for vulnerable consumer groups, especially children. Continuous monitoring of pesticides in pears and tighter regulation of pesticide residue standards are recommended.

Occurrence of pesticide residues in candies containing bee products

Pesticides can be found in bee products as they are usually employed to protect the beehive, but they can also reach the hive due to environmental contamination. These contaminants could be present in processed foods. One of the most common and consumed comfitures based in bee products are honey and propolis candies, for which no analytical method has yet been developed. This work presents the development of an ethyl acetate based extraction method followed by dispersive clean up using Primary and Secondary Amine (PSA) plus Graphitized Carbon Black (GCB) with Gas Chromatography coupled to Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS) determination for pesticide residue monitoring candies containing honey and propolis from the Mercosur region. Sixteen pesticides found in bee products as well as three pesticide metabolites of toxicological significance were evaluated including acaricides and insecticides (pyrethroids, organophosphates and some organochlorines). The method was validated, with a LOQ of 0.01 mg/kg for most analyzed pesticides, showing a recovery rate of 70–120% with <20% RSD. Real samples from the Mercosur countries were analyzed. Coumaphos and chlorpyrifos residues were detected in most of them. From these findings a preliminary toxicological evaluation of coumaphos via admissible daily intake (ADI) estimation was conducted.

Occurrence of pesticide residues in fodder from Punjab (India): Temporal and spatial variation

Occurrence of pesticide residues in fodder from Punjab (India): Temporal and spatial variation

Occurrence of pesticide residues and transformation products in different types of dietary supplements

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the presence of pesticide residues and transformation products in dietary supplement products. Thirty-two samples were analysed to determine 177 pesticides by gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) and 333 pesticides by liquid chromatography–high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS). Pesticides were extracted from different kinds of dietary supplements by the use of a modified QuEChERS extraction method. Six samples contained pesticide residues at concentration up to 92.7 µg kg−1, but only butralin exceeded the maximum residue limits set for raw material. In addition to target compounds, LC-HRMS enables the simultaneous detection of non-target pesticides. In this case, transformation products of pesticides were detected in the analysed samples using HRMS analyser (Exactive-Orbitrap). These compounds were not included in the original method, and they were monitored as post-target compounds, knowing their molecular formula and exact mass. Mass accuracy was always < 2 ppm, corresponding to a maximum mass error. The positive findings endorse the idea that a deeper and continuous investigation of pesticide residues and transformation products in dietary supplement products is necessary in order to guaranty consumer’s safety.

Occurrence of pesticide residues in fruit from Podlasie (Poland) in 2012

Abstract Extensive use of pesticides in agriculture can lead to contamination of fruit harvests and an increased risk of toxic effects on humans. A total of 123 fruit samples harvested in 2012 in the north-eastern region of Poland were analysed for pesticide residues as part of the national monitoring programme, and as part of research commissioned by private customers. Pesticide residues were found in 64.2% of the samples. There were pesticide residues below the maximum residue level (MRL) in 63 (51.2%) of the samples, while 16 (13%) exceeded MRLs set by Regulation (EC) 396/2005. The gooseberry, currant, and strawberry samples showed the most contamination. The most frequently detected pesticides were dithiocarbamates (54) followed by difenoconazole (22), boscalid (17), and alpha-cypermethrin (15). More than half of analysed samples had multiple residues (up to 8 residues), with multiple residues most common in gooseberry and currant samples. This study shows cases of non-authorised pesticide use by farmers who are trying to protect certain fruit.

Health risk for children and adults consuming apples with pesticide residue

The presence of pesticide residues in apples raises serious health concerns, especially when the fresh fruits are consumed by children, particularly vulnerable to the pesticide hazards. This study demonstrates the results from nine years of investigation (2005–2013) of 696 samples of Polish apples for 182 pesticides using gas and liquid chromatography and spectrophotometric techniques. Only 33.5% of the samples did not contain residues above the limit of detection. In 66.5% of the samples, 34 pesticides were detected, of which maximum residue level (MRL) was exceeded in 3%. Multiple residues were present in 35% of the samples with two to six pesticides, and one sample contained seven compounds. A study of the health risk for children, adults and the general population consuming apples with these pesticides was performed. The pesticide residue data have been combined with the consumption of apples in the 97.5 percentile and the mean diet. A deterministic model was used to assess the chronic and acute exposures that are based on the average and high concentrations of residues. Additionally, the “worst-case scenario” and “optimistic case scenario” were used to assess the chronic risk. In certain cases, the total dietary pesticide intake calculated from the residue levels observed in apples exceeds the toxicological criteria. Children were the group most exposed to the pesticides, and the greatest short-term hazard stemmed from flusilazole at 624%, dimethoate at 312%, tebuconazole at 173%, and chlorpyrifos methyl and captan with 104% Acute Reference Dose (ARfD) each. In the cumulative chronic exposure, among the 17 groups of compounds studied, organophosphate insecticides constituted 99% acceptable daily intake (ADI). The results indicate that the occurrence of pesticide residues in apples could not be considered a serious public health problem. Nevertheless, an investigation into continuous monitoring and tighter regulation of pesticide residues is recommended.