Hazard index, a tool for a long term risk assessment of pesticide residues in some commodities, a pilot study

• Published in: Regulatory toxicology and pharmacology Vol. 73; no. 3; pp. 985 - 991
• Main Authors: Gad Alla, Sohair A., Loutfy, Naglaa M., Shendy, Amr H., Ahmed, Mohamed Tawfic
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Inc 01.12.2015
• Subjects: Chromatography, Liquid; Consumer Product Safety; Decision Support Techniques; Exposure; Food Contamination; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Humans; Pesticide residues; Pesticide Residues - adverse effects; Pesticide Residues - analysis; Pilot Projects; Risk Assessment; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization; Tandem Mass Spectrometry; Time Factors; Vegetables - chemistry; Pesticide residues; Risk assessment; Exposure
• ISSN: 0273-2300; 1096-0295
• DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2015.09.016

Samples of some vegetables were analyzed for pesticides residues using the accredited (QuEChERS) method. The method allowed the determination of 215 compounds of different pesticide chemical groups. LC-MS/MS and GC–MS/MS were used for residues quantification. In a total number of 116 samples, no pesticides residues were detected in 34 samples (29.3%), while 82 samples (70.7%) had detectable pesticide residues, with some samples exceeding the MRLs levels established by the Codex Alimentarius Commission. The hazard index (HI %), representing the long – term risk assessment was in the range of 0.01%–15.04% of the ADI's. The highest exposure was observed for ethion, followed by chlorpyifos, both of them are organophosphates, at15.04% and 2.45% of ADI respectively. The acute (short-term) exposure was also estimated. Results showed a potential risk for children posed by 3 pesticides, meanwhile, residues of one pesticides showed potential risk to adults (>100% of ARfD). The present work is an attempt to provide a model for the use of WHO template for calculating the short term intake. This model is especially useful for developing countries where information about consumption rate is rather meager. •Monitoring of pesticide residues in same Egyptian fresh vegetables samples using accredited method.•A model for the use of WHO template for calculating the short term intake was applied.•Long and Short term intakes were estimated using hazard index and FAO template, respectively.•For short term exposure, a potential consumer risk was identified for some pesticides.