lila abbaszadeh

In this study, residues of chlorpyrifos and diazinon pesticides in 10 apple and 6 grape samples from Maragheh County were analyzed using the GC/MS technique after extraction via the QuEChERS method, known for its convenience, speed, effectiveness, and safety. The study also evaluated the impact of washing treatments on pesticide residue levels and conducted health risk assessments using a Monte Carlo simulation for adults and children. Results revealed the detection of chlorpyrifos and diazinon residues in all 32 apple and grape samples across both washed and unwashed treatments. In 95% (19 samples) and 100% (20 samples) of apple samples, average chlorpyrifos and diazinon residues were below the Iranian maximum residue limit (MRL), whereas 41.67% (5 samples) and 33.33% (4 samples) of grape samples exceeded the MRL. Following washing, chlorpyrifos residues in apple samples decreased by 42.02% and diazinon by 53.84%, while in grape samples, reductions were 39.70% for chlorpyrifos and 46.15% for diazinon. Highest Hazard Quotient (HQ) values for adults and children were observed in apple samples with chlorpyrifos (0.51 and 0.12, respectively) and diazinon (0.45 and 0.105, respectively). Cumulative risk assessment for chlorpyrifos and diazinon pesticide residues indicated no significant health risks for either age group. However, given the widespread use of pesticides, ongoing monitoring is essential to mitigate residues in fruits and vegetables.

The residues of Moinfos and Ethion pesticides in 20 samples of apples and 12 samples of grapes, in two treatments, unwashed and washed, after extraction with a convenient, fast, effective, and safe analytical method (QuEChERS) were analyzed using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Also, the health risk assessment of pesticide residues in apple and grape samples was done using the hazard quotient (HQ) and based on the Monte Carlo simulation for two age groups of adults and children. The results showed that the average residue of ethion in unwashed apple and grape samples was lower than the maximum residue levels of the MRLs of Iran. While, the average residue of Moinphos in unwashed apple and grape samples was higher than the MRLs of Iran. Also, the pesticide residues of Ethion and Moinfos in 100% of the apple and grape samples were higher than the MRL of the European Union. After washing, the average residue of Moinfos and Ethion pesticides decreased by 47 and 45% in apple samples and 44 and 42% in grape samples, respectively. The results of risk assessment based on Monte Carlo simulation showed that the HQ value is less than one with 100% certainty in the age groups of children and adults. Therefore, the consumption of apples and grapes with these two pesticides does not pose any significant risk to the health of consumers. However, due to the use of numerous pesticides, continuous and accurate monitoring and strict regulations regarding the quality and safety of fruits are recommended.