Dietary Intake of Pesticides Based on Vegetable Consumption in Ismailia, Egypt: A Case Study

ABSTRACT

The objective of this study was to assess pesticide residues in tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, strawberries, and potatoes collected from local markets in Ismailia, Egypt, and to assess dietary intake and health risk implications of pesticide residues through food consumption. Vegetable selection was based on their popularity and consumption. Selection of pesticides was based on their impact on humans, and on their heavy use. The majority of the analyzed samples contained detectable levels of pesticides. Residues of some organophosphorus pesticides, including malathion, ethion, and profenofos and some pyrethroid pesticides such as fenpropathrin and cypermethrin were found in some samples at concentration equal to or exceeding their European Union's maximum residue limits (EU-MRLs). The fungicide bupirimate detected in potato samples exceeded the EU-MRL by 1500%. Phentohate and profenofos were the most frequently detected pesticides in 30 and 27% of analyzed samples, respectively. Data were used to estimate the potential health risks associated with exposure to these pesticides by ingestion of food. Estimated daily intakes (EDIs) of pesticides ranged from 0.03% to 40% of the acceptable daily intakes (ADIs), depending on pesticide concentration and vegetable consumption. Overall, the EDIs of the different pesticides from vegetable consumption are not considered a public health problem.

Key Words:

• pesticide residues
• vegetables
• estimated daily intake (EDI)
• acceptable daily intake (ADI)
• Egypt

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The authors express their gratitude to two anonymous reviewers and HERA's editor for their contributions to this article.