DIETARY EXPOSURE RESIDUES OF PESTICIDES FROM CITRUS FRUITS AND RISK ASSESSMENT

The aim of this research was to determine the residual levels of pesticides in citrus fruits, to assess the exposure and to determine the acute risk to consumers. In this work, eight pesticides: azinphos-ethyl, carbofuran, chlorfenvinphos, chlorpyrifos, metazachlor, methoxychlor, propham and sulfotep were analysed in 23 samples of citrus fruits, taken from the market of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Analyses were carried out by the QuEChERS approach developed for pesticide residue analysis in food, using gas chromatography with mass spectrometry detection. To determine the risk, acute exposure assessment was performed according on International Estimation of Short Term Intake (IESTI) equations. In quantitative acute risk assessment, estimated dietary exposure was compared with the toxicological reference values Acute Reference Dose (ARfD). In four samples of oranges the levels of pesticide residues were below detectable limit, in six samples determined levels of pesticide residues were at or below the MRL, while in one sample level of pesticide residues exceeded MRL. In six samples of grapefruits the levels of pesticide residues were below detectable limit, in five samples determined levels of pesticide residues were at or below the MRL, while in one sample level of pesticide residues exceeded MRL. In one sample of grapefruit where the level of chlorpyrifos residue of 0.61 mg/kg was found above MRL, an acute exposure risk assessment was performed and there was not a risk for health of adults and children, because the value of the calculated dietary intake was below the ARfD.