Pesticides in vegetables — can a healthy salad be poisonous?

Aim of the study: This study investigated pesticide residues to evaluate food safety related to vegetables in Incheon. A total of 385 samples of 33 different types of vegetables mainly consumed by Koreans were collected from the Incheon market in 2021.

Results: The most frequently detected pesticide residues were fluxametamide (7 samples), azoxystrobin (4 samples), chlorantraniliprole (3 samples), flubendiamide (3 samples), and procymidone (3 samples). The highest risk assessment values were found for consumption of Chinese chives containing terbufos. However, the HQ and cHI values were below 100%. Therefore, the results showed that the detected pesticides posed no potential risk from vegetable consumption.

Aim of the study: This study was conducted to investigate pesticide residue concentrations and assess potential human health risks from fruit and vegetable consumption in Incheon. A total of 1,146 samples of 20 different types of fruits and vegetables were collected from the Incheon area in 2020.

Results: The most frequently detected pesticide residues were chlorfenapyr, procymidone, etofenprox, pendimethalin, fluopyram, and azoxystrobin. The highest short-term and long-term exposure values were found for consumption of lettuce leaves containing chlorfenpyr. For chronic dietary exposure, the cumulative hazard index (cHI) was below 100%. The results of this study showed that the detected pesticides did not pose potential health risks through consumption of fruits and vegetables.

Aim of the study: Pesticide residue levels in vegetables were assessed in several villages in the Western Usambara and Uluguru Mountains of Tanzania, where different varieties of vegetables are grown. Tomatoes and cabbages were the most popular crops grown year-round and were therefore selected as the model crops for this study.

Results: The pesticide residue levels detected in the vegetables were up to: parathion 5.07 μg/Kg, marathion 3.73 μg/Kg, α-endosulfan 0.32 μg/Kg, β-endosulfan 0.53 μg/Kg, dieldrin 1.36 μg/Kg, γ-HCH 0.25 μg/Kg, α-HCH 0.09 μg/Kg, and p, p'-DDT 0.64 μg/Kg. These results clearly show that vegetables are contaminated with different pesticide residues. However, the total pesticide residue levels in both tomatoes and cabbages are below their respective Codex Alimentarius maximum residue limits (MRLs). This means that vegetables produced in the area are suitable for human consumption.

Aim of the study: This study investigated pesticide residues in market-sold vegetables and fruits in Hebei Province, China, over 5 years (2018-2022). A modified QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe) method was applied to gas chromatography with a triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer (GC-MS/MS).

Results: The hazard index (HI) of omethoate was the highest, while that of procymidone was the lowest. The HI for all the vegetables and fruits was below 100%. The effects of pesticide residues are within an acceptable range for humans. Adequate attention and further monitoring are still needed.

Aim of the study: A total of 160 samples of 13 types of fresh fruits and vegetables from domestic production and imports were analysed to detect pesticide residues. The analysis used multi-residue extraction followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Results: No residues were found in 42.5% of the samples tested, and 12.5% of samples contained pesticide residues above the maximum residue limits. Long-term exposure risk was assessed for all pesticides detected in this study. Except for chlorpyrifos and lambda-cyhalothrin, exposure to pesticides from vegetables and fruits was below 1% of the acceptable daily intake. The short-term exposure assessment found that the acute reference dose was exceeded for seven pesticide-commodity combinations, involving three pesticides: chlorpyrifos, deltamethrin, and lambda-cyhalothrin.

Aim of the study: Brazil is the third-largest exporter of fruits and vegetables in the world and consequently uses large amounts of pesticides. Food contamination with pesticide residues (PRs) is a serious concern, especially in developing countries.

Results: A high long-term health risk is associated with consuming oranges in São Paulo and grapes in Bahia due to chlorothalonil and procymidone. We also found that 26 PRs are considered carcinogenic by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), and the carcinogenic risk analysis revealed no severe risk in any of the Brazilian states investigated, as the cumulative hazard index (HI) was below 1. However, the highest HI values were in São Paulo due to acephate and carbaryl in sweet peppers, and in Bahia due to dichlorvos. This information can help regulatory authorities set new guidelines for pesticide residue limits in commonly consumed and exported fruits and vegetables from Brazil, and monitor the quality of commercial formulations.

Aim of the study: Pesticide production, consumption, and disposal around the world are raising growing concerns because of their effects on human health and the environment. Among developing treatment technologies, ozonation has attracted the attention of many researchers in recent years.

Results: This systematic review presents an extensive study of the degradation of different types of pesticide residues on fruits and vegetables (F&V) using ozonation, micro- and nanobubble (MNB) ozonation, or other advanced techniques such as microwaves/ultrasonication and advanced oxidation processes. The review compiles studies reporting the effect of MNB size on the dissolution of ozone gas in the washing medium and its effect on the degradation of pesticide residues on F&V. It also discusses the mechanisms and pathways of pesticide degradation and how integrating MNB technology (MNBT) can help prevent economic losses, reduce health issues for consumers, and protect the environment from harmful chemicals used in pesticides.

Aim of the study: This study assessed pesticide residue levels and associated health risks to consumers in green pepper (Capsicum annuum), cucumber (Cucumis sativus), tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), and spinach (Spinacia oleracea) in Hai District, Tanzania. Vegetable and fruit samples were extracted using the QuEChERS method and analysed by GC-MS/MS.

Results: Vegetable and fruit samples were extracted using the QuEChERS method and analysed by GC-MS/MS. Twenty-two pesticides were detected, with seven pesticides—dimethoate (25.8 µg/kg), profenofos (36.7 µg/kg), malathion (59.8 µg/kg), hexaconazole (36.5 µg/kg), triadimenol (56.1 µg/kg), tebuthiuron (27.3 µg/kg), and azinophos ethyl (10.3 µg/kg)—exceeding their MRLs. The assessment of potential health risks found hazard indices above 1 for four pesticides—profenofos, chlorothalonil, cyhalothrin, and malathion—indicating possible health risks for consumers. Continuous monitoring, proper training on pesticide use, and risk assessments for pesticides that contribute significantly to health risks are recommended.

Aim of the study: Pesticide residues in vegetables are a potential source of exposure to endocrine- and reproductive-disrupting chemicals (EDCs/RDs), particularly for vulnerable groups such as children. This study assessed pesticide occurrence in vegetables from 12 countries worldwide and evaluated the associated health risks for children and adults under European legislation.

Results: Propamocarb was the most commonly identified EDC, while tomatoes showed the greatest diversity of these compounds. Reproductive disruptors (RDs) occurred less frequently, with pyraclostrobin being the most common. The risk assessment for multiple pesticides in a single sample, expressed as the hazard index (HI), exceeded acceptable levels for Belgian toddlers consuming tomatoes (1.345 for EDCs and 1.264 for RDs) and leeks (1.010) containing propamocarb. These findings highlight the need for an in-depth toxicological evaluation of the combined effects of multiple hazardous pesticides occurring simultaneously, which may support future legislative measures aimed at improving food safety.