ANALIYSIS OF PESTICIDE RESIDUES AND CHRONIC RISK ASSESSMENT

INTRODUCTION: In modern agriculture, the use of pesticides is essential to protect crops from pests and diseases, ensuring high yields and product quality. However, intensive use of pesticides can leave residues in food products, raising concerns about human health. This study aims to determine pesticide residues in vegetables and fruits using advanced analytical techniques to ensure consumer safety. METHODOLOGY: A total of 72 vegetable samples and 185 fruit samples were collected from various agricultural areas. Analyses were performed using gas chromatography- tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). These techniques, in fact, offer high sensitivity and specificity, allowing the detection and quantification of various classes of pesticides, including organophosphates, pyrethroids, carbamates, neonicotinoids, and fungicides. The QuEChERS technique was used for sample preparation. This methodology involves an extraction phase with acetonitrile, followed by a cleanup phase with MgSO4 and NaCl salts, obtaining clean extracts ready for instrumental analysis. RESULTS: The analyses revealed the presence of various classes of pesticides, including organophosphates, pyrethroids, carbamates, neonicotinoids, and fungicides. To assess the chronic risk associated with the consumption of these samples, the chronic Hazard Quotient (cHQ) was calculated for each detected substance. The cHQ is calculated as the ratio of the estimated daily intake (EDI) to the acceptable daily intake (ADI), based on daily consumption data in Sicily. The cHQ calculations for these substances showed low values. This result is due to the level of exposure, the duration of exposure, and the toxicity of the substance. Out of 257 samples analyzed, only 6 samples exceeded the maximum residue limits (MRL) set by EFSA. Three of these samples contained levels of imidacloprid (0.97 mg/kg, 0.11 mg/kg, 0.17 mg/kg, MRL 0.01 mg/kg), while the other three exceeded the MRL for dimethoate (0.089 mg/kg, MRL 0.01 mg/kg), 2-phenylphenol (0.606 mg/kg, MRL 0.01 mg/kg), and phosmet (0.092 mg/kg, MRL 0.005 mg/kg). These substances are highly neurotoxic agents, and the rigorous controls carried out allow the immediate blocking of contaminated batches, thus preventing the onset of toxic effects. Additionally, two unapproved substances were detected: iprodione (Regulation (EU) 2017/2091) and quinoxyfen (Regulation (EU) 2024/1355). To ensure safety, these samples were removed from the food chain, thus preventing the onset of toxic effects. The results indicate that most of the analyzed substances did not exceed the maximum residue limits (MRLs) set by EFSA,ensuring that the detected levels comply with the established toxic doses and that the risk of chronic toxicity is low. CONCLUSIONS: The GC-MS/MS and LC-MS/MS triple quadrupole techniques demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity, allowing precise quantification of pesticide residues. The results highlight the need for continuous monitoring to ensure consumer safety and confirm the effectiveness of EFSA regulations in protecting public health. The QuEChERS technique proved to be effective and reliable for sample preparation, contributing to the quality and accuracy of the obtained data. Human safety was placed at the center of this study, ensuring that residue limits comply with the toxic doses established by EFSA, thus guaranteeing that food products are safe for long-term consumption.