Combined health risk assessment of organophosphates pesticide residues in greenhouse cucumber in the Northwestern of Iran based on Monte Carlo Simulations

The samples of greenhouse cucumbers were collected from the Central Fruit and Vegetable Market of Tabriz between June and December 2017. In the twenty-four cucumber samples (unwashed, washed, peeled), the residue of 18 organophosphates pesticides (OPPs) was analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) following the modified QuEChERS method (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe). Chronic non-carcinogenic risk assessment from pesticide residues in the samples was also performed for age groups of adults (women and men) and children using the Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS). Amongst the eighteen studied pesticides, eight pesticides including dimethoate, diazinon, methyl parathion, fenitrothion, chlorpyrifos, profenofos, ethion, and azinphos-methyl were detected. Pesticide residues were detected in 100% of unwashed, washed and peeled samples in the range of 0.08 to 0.37 mg.kg-1, 0.03 to 0.17 mg.kg-1 and 0.01 to 0.08 mg.kg-1, respectively. The maximum and minimum values were found for diazinon pesticides with 0.37 mg.kg-1 and profenofos and fenitrothion with 0.01 mg.kg-1. 100 % of samples contained at least three pesticide residues (dimethoate, diazinon, and methyl parathion), while 87.5% of the samples contained more pesticides residues. The residues of dimethoate, diazinon, and methyl parathion were above Maximum Residue Limits (MRL) in 100%, 83.33%, and 66.66% of samples, respectively. The identified residues were more than the EU MRLs and the IR MRLs in 100% and 95.83% samples, respectively. The mean reduction of pesticide residues in the washed and peeled samples was in the range of 37.74 to 56.52% and 66.66 to 92.30%, respectively. According to the performed risk assessment, there is no significant non-carcinogenic health risk due to the consumption of cucumber for the age group of adults. Hence, there is a considerable non-carcinogenic health risk to children due to the consumption of unwashed (HI = 2.22) and water-washed (HI = 1.36) greenhouse cucumbers.

Automated summary

Samples of greenhouse cucumbers collected from the Central Fruit and Vegetable Market of Tabriz between June and December 2017 were analyzed for pesticide residues and assessed for health risks. Results showed that washing and peeling significantly reduced pesticide residues, with no significant health risks for adults consuming cucumbers. However, children consuming unwashed and water-washed cucumbers had considerable non-carcinogenic health risks.