Health Hazard Assessment of Pyridaben Residues in Egyptian Strawberries

ABSTRACT

Dissipation behavior and hazard assessment of the insecticide/acaricide pyridaben applied to strawberries were investigated under the climatic conditions of Egypt. A validated gas chromatographic method (GC-μECD) was used to determine pyridaben residues when applied at the recommended rate and twice this rate. The average recoveries were in the range between 95.8% and 103% with associated relative standard deviation not exceeding 14.5%. The estimated limit of quantification for pyridaben was 0.005 mg/kg. The field results showed that pyridaben dissipated rapidly in strawberries and had a half-life of approximately 2.3 days. The hazard assessment was evaluated by using the hazard quotient (HQ). The results showed that the HQ value was significantly less than HQ = 1. This result implied that the hazard of pyridaben use in strawberries even at double the recommended dosage was negligible to human. This study could provide guidance for the safe and reasonable use of pyridaben in strawberries and to prevent health problems to consumers; however, further hazard assessment studies are needed to ascertain the hazard of pyridaben residues on strawberries to vulnerable groups, including children, pregnant women, and elderly consumers.

Key Words:

• pyridaben
• dissipation
• pesticide residues
• hazard assessment
• strawberries