Carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk assessment induced by pesticide residues in honey of Iran based on Monte Carlo simulation

A multi-residue method was developed for 45 pesticides from different groups, encompassing the most widely used pesticides. 30 samples of honey were randomly collected from different regions of Iran and extraction was performed using validated QuEChERS method. Next, pesticide residues were identified and measured using optimized UHPLC-MS/MS and GC-MS analysis. All validation assays were performed with a blank sample. For the evaluation of linearity, matrix-matched calibration curves were prepared with spiked samples at seven concentration levels, ranging from 0.005 to 0.5 mg L-1 for pesticides in UHPLC-MS/MS and from 0.025 to 2 mg L-1 for GC-MS analysis. Recovery and precision were certified through extraction of spiked samples at concentration levels of 0.1 and 0.25 mg L-1. The limit of quantification (LOQ) was fixed as the lowest concentration level of the calibration curve, which presented adequate recovery and precision. Results indicated that the observed pesticides in honey samples were approximately 44.4% of the total studied pesticides, of which 90% belonged to the group of insecticides. Eventually, the human health risk assessment was performed for children and adult consumers based on Monte Carlo simulation. The rank order of pesticides based on HQ was lindane > diazinon > trichlorfon > permethrin for honey samples. In our study, the calculated hazard index (HI) for adults (0.18) and for children (0.57) lower than 1, suggested no potential health risks to the honey consumers. All pesticides except for lindane did not pose a cancer risk to humans, unfortunately due to lindane residue as a Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), CR (2.5E-5) was higher than 1.0E-6 and controlling plans should be conducted to decrease the concentration of this pesticide in Iran.

Automated summary

A multi-residue method was developed for detecting 45 pesticides from different groups in honey samples from Iran. Validation QuEChERS method was used for extraction and optimized UHPLC-MS/MS and GC-MS analysis were employed for identification and measurement of pesticide residues. The majority of observed pesticides in honey samples belonged to the group of insecticides, with lindane, diazinon, trichlorfon, and permethrin having higher levels. Health risk assessment based on Monte Carlo simulation showed no potential risks for adult and children consumers, except for lindane as a Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). Control plans should be implemented to reduce its concentration in Iran.