Occurrence of Pesticide Residues and Acute, Chronic, and Cumulative Dietary Risk Assessment in Mango (Mangifera indica L.) from Lower Northern Thailand
Mango (Mangifera indica L.), particularly the ‘Nam Dok Mai’ cultivar, is an economically important fruit crop in Thailand and is widely produced in the Lower Northern Region for domestic consumption and export. However, pesticide residues in mango remain a major food safety concern because of their potential effects on consumer health and compliance with national and international maximum residue limits (MRLs). This study investigated pesticide residue contamination and assessed the dietary health risks associated with mango consumption among different age groups. A total of 255 composite mango samples were collected from production areas in Phichit, Phitsanulok, and Phetchabun provinces, Thailand. Pesticide residues were analyzed using a validated modified QuEChERS extraction method combined with gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (GC–MS/MS). Multiple pesticide residues were frequently detected in the samples analyzed. Of the detected residues, 22 pesticides exceeded Thai MRL standards and 14 exceeded Codex Alimentarius MRLs. Dietary exposure was evaluated using acute and chronic hazard quotients (HQa and HQc) and cumulative hazard indices (HIa and HIc). The results showed that acute exposure to several insecticides, particularly carbofuran, lambda-cyhalothrin, and fenpropathrin, exceeded acceptable risk thresholds in all age groups. At the pesticide-class level, cumulative acute exposure to organophosphates, carbamates, and pyrethroids showed HIa values greater than 1 in several age groups, suggesting potential short-term health concerns, especially among children. In contrast, chronic exposure to individual pesticides and cumulative pesticide groups remained below the level of concern for all age groups, with HQc and HIc values below 1. These findings indicate that although long-term dietary risk from mango consumption is within acceptable levels, acute exposure to certain pesticide residues may pose non-negligible health risks. Continuous residue monitoring, stricter enforcement of good agricultural practices, and evidence-based risk management are essential to ensure mango safety and protect consumers.
Background: Increased concerns over the potential health impacts on consumers from widespread pyrethroid use in agriculture have necessitated the implementation of maximum residue limits (MRLs) on food products. In Thailand, while such regulations exist, their enforcement remains incomplete. The study aims to monitor pyrethroid contamination in Khon Kaen market vegetables and evaluate the risks posed to human health.
Method: A total of 100 samples representing ten different fresh vegetable types were collected from May to July 2024. Pyrethroid residues in vegetables collected from both structured and unstructured markets in Khon Kaen, Thailand, were analyzed using gas chromatography (GC) with a micro electron capture detector (μECD). Health risks for both short-term and long-term exposure were calculated by combining the detected pyrethroid residue levels with estimated dietary intake data, utilizing a relevant database.
Results: Samples of Chinese kale contained the highest levels of lambda-cyhalothrin detected at 0.71 mg/kg and bifenthrin at 0.70 mg/kg. The structured markets within Muang District had a high prevalence of detectable residues from pyrethroid groups. An evaluation of the short-term (sHI) and long-term (cHQ) health risks associated with the consumption of these vegetables indicates potential health risks exceeding acceptable thresholds, particularly among children.
Conclusion: This investigation reveals pyrethroid contamination in vegetables from the Khon Kaen province markets in Thailand. It is vital to reduce contamination to ensure food security as well as educate consumers about this contamination to increase their food safety.
Keywords: Pyrethroids, Pesticides, Maximum Residue Limits, Vegetables, Insecticide residues, Health risk assessment
Kodchakorn Uengchuen, P. Laoraksawong, Tongpak Donprajum et al.· Journal of Health Research· 0 citations
Pesticide contamination of cereal grains has become a growing food safety concern because cereals constitute a major component of the human diet and represent an important route of dietary exposure to agrochemical residues. This study investigated the occurrence of pesticide residues in commonly consumed cereals marketed in northern Nigeria, determined their compliance with maximum residue limits (MRLs), and evaluated the associated non-carcinogenic health risks to adults and children. Composite samples of beans, sorghum, maize, wheat, local rice, and imported rice were collected from representative markets and analysed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Exceedance factors (EFs) were calculated by comparing measured concentrations with established MRLs, comparing pesticide residue concentrations among cereal types using one-way analysis of variance followed by Tukey’s Honestly Significant Difference (HSD) post hoc test where appropriate, and assessing the associated non-carcinogenic health risks for adults and children through ingestion, inhalation, and dermal exposure pathways. Four pesticide residues, imidacloprid, acetamiprid, pendimethalin, and propiconazole, were detected at concentrations ranging from 0.06 to 0.90 mg kg⁻¹. All detected residues exceeded their respective MRLs, with exceedance factors ranging from 1.2 to 18.0. Pendimethalin exhibited the highest contamination in maize (0.90 mg kg⁻¹; EF = 18.0), followed by local rice (0.86 mg kg⁻¹; EF = 17.2) and sorghum (0.85 mg kg⁻¹; EF = 17.0), whereas wheat contained the highest imidacloprid concentration (0.73 mg kg⁻¹; EF = 14.6). One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated significant differences in imidacloprid concentrations among the cereal types (p < 0.05). Tukey’s Honestly Significant Difference (HSD) post hoc test further revealed that wheat contained significantly higher imidacloprid concentrations than beans, sorghum, maize, and local rice (p < 0.001). Despite these exceedances, all estimated HQ and HI values for adults and children remained below the acceptable safety threshold of 1.0, indicating negligible non-carcinogenic health risks under the current exposure scenarios. Children consistently exhibited higher exposure estimates than adults due to lower body weight and greater intake relative to body mass. The widespread occurrence of pesticide residues above regulatory limits highlights the need for strengthened pesticide management, routine surveillance, and improved compliance with good agricultural practices. Continuous monitoring remains essential to minimise dietary exposure and ensure consumer safety.
N. Abdulkadir, A. Abdulhameed, Ezra Abalis Gaya et al.· Annals of Environmental Scie...· 0 citations
Pesticide residues and mycotoxins are important maize contaminants, but their occurrence and dietary risks in fresh maize remain unclear. In this study, ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) methods were established for analyzing 70 pesticides and 15 mycotoxins and were applied to 302 fresh maize samples from three major regions in China. A total of 21 pesticides were detected at concentrations of 1.6-306 μg/kg and detection rates of 0.3-9.6%. Among the samples, 3.3% exceeded the Chinese maximum residue limits (MRLs). Three mycotoxins were detected at frequencies of 0.7-3.0% and concentrations of 2.6-19.1 μg/kg. Dietary risk assessment indicated that the estimated acute (%ARfD, 6.8 × 10-6-3.0 × 10-3) and chronic (%ADI, 7.0 × 10-5-1.2 × 10-1) risks from pesticide residues were well below 100%. The chronic dietary risk associated with the detected mycotoxins (%TDI) ranged from 3.9% to 30.1%, indicating no unacceptable risk.
Xiaozhong Zhang, Longbing Wei, Bing-Ying Liu et al.· Journal of Agricultural and...· 0 citations
The presence of pesticide contamination in fruits is a substantial concern in the context of food safety and public health. Although pesticides play a crucial role in agricultural techniques for controlling pests and protecting crops, they might potentially endanger consumers' health if they are present in fruit at high levels. Assessing pesticide concentrations, such as carbofuran, fipronil and pretilachlor in different fruit samples, offers a valuable understanding of the intricate nature of pesticide residues and their potential effects on human well-being. A total of 15 distinct varieties of fruit samples were collected from several local fruit markets in Dhaka and the samples were analysed using HPLC for three pesticide residues. The results showed that carbofuran residues were found in 73.3% of the 15 tested samples, specifically in 11 (Apple, Orange, Grape and Sweet Orange (Malta) samples). Additionally, pretilachlor residues were detected in 16.66% of the samples, with two samples (orange and black grape) exceeding the Codex alimentarius maximum residue limits. Most samples contained detectable pesticide residues; however, exceedance of regulatory limits varied by fruit type. The Estimated Average Daily Intakes (EADIs) exceeded the WHO/FAO acceptable daily intake limits for specific fruits, particularly oranges (2.50 mg/kg) and sweet oranges (Malta 2.33 mg/kg). Hazard index (HI) values greater than one were observed for selected fruits, indicating potential health risks, whereas other fruits remained within acceptable safety limits. To effectively address pesticide contamination, it is essential to have strict regulatory oversight and actively promote the adoption of sustainable farming practices. Ensuring food safety and protecting public health relies on collaborative actions throughout the agricultural supply chain. Hence, educating food producers in Bangladesh regarding the proper management and potential pesticide risks is imperative. Understanding the magnitude of pesticide pollution and its compliance with regulatory standards is crucial for ensuring the safety and reliability of the food supply chain.
Bangladesh Pharmaceutical Journal 29(2): 235-245, 2026 (July)
Pesticide contamination of agricultural soils has emerged as a global environmental concern due to its potential impact on soil quality, food safety, and ecosystem health. Despite increasing pesticide use worldwide, information on the occurrence and distribution of residual pesticides in agricultural soils remains limited in many regions.
This study aimed to determine the occurrence and concentration of selected pesticide residues (aldrin, malathion, chlorpyrifos, phorate, and λ-cyhalothrin) in agricultural soils using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).
The present study was conducted to identify pesticide residues in nearby agricultural soils of Chandigarh, India. In the present study, environmental monitoring of 105 commonly sprayed pesticides was conducted on soil samples collected from seven villages of Chandigarh, India. A total of 105 samples were analysed for pesticide residues, and the measured concentrations were compared with the Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) set by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and European regulations. From the total soil samples collected from agricultural fields in different sites, 54 samples were found contaminated with aldrin, chlorpyrifos, λ-cyhalothrin, hexachlorocyclohexane, malathion, and phorate. Of the 54 samples, 34 were found to exceed the MRLs.
The findings provide baseline data on pesticide contamination, contribute to regional residue monitoring efforts, and support evidence-based strategies for sustainable pesticide management and environmental protection. Also, the present study can provide policymakers, authorities, farmers, and consumers with valuable insights and awareness.
Rajni Yadav, A. Singh· Frontiers in Soil Science· 0 citations
This study investigated organochlorine pesticide (OCP) residues in agricultural soils and pepper samples to assess their ecological and human health risks. Eighty soil samples (pre‐[40] and post‐[40] pesticide application) and 40 pepper samples were analysed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Bioaccumulation factors (BAFs), health and ecological risk assessments were carried out. Before pesticide application, soils already contained detectable OCP residues, particularly α‐BHC (5.0–5.3 µg/kg) and γ‐HCH (7.7–9.3 µg/kg), indicating background contamination. Following pesticide application, residue levels increased significantly (
p
< 0.05), with endosulfan sulfate (1789.88 µg/kg) and endrin (161.33 µg/kg) reaching the highest concentrations at contamination hotspots resulting in ecological risk quotients that exceeded guideline thresholds. Pepper samples showed substantial bioaccumulation of OCPs, confirming their transfer from soil into edible crops. The highest BAFs were recorded for 4,4′‐DDE (11,168.62), dieldrin (5180.07), 4,4′‐DDT (5164.89), and endosulfan I (1645.27). Health risk assessment indicated that most non‐carcinogenic risks for adults were within acceptable limits, although dieldrin exceeded the safety threshold (HQ = 1.35). Children were more vulnerable, with hazard quotient values exceeding 1.0 for several pesticides, including dieldrin (13.46), 4,4′‐DDE (5.36), aldrin (2.71), endrin aldehyde (2.47), and heptachlor epoxide (1.27). Cancer risks ranged from 2.21 × 10
−
6
to 5.27 × 10
−
4
for adults and 4.51 × 10
−
5
to 1.08 × 10
−
2
for children, with dieldrin and aldrin posing the greatest concern. These findings revealed persistent OCP contamination, pronounced spatial variability, and high BAF values in peppers, highlighting elevated ecological risks and greater health risks for children.
M. B. Adekola, A. Taiwo, B. S. Bada et al.· CLEAN - Soil, Air, Water· 0 citations
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