Journal
CROP PROTECTION
Volume 28, Issue 10, Pages 864-869Publisher
ELSEVIER SCI LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.cropro.2009.07.008
Keywords
Pesticides; Wheat; Health standards; Acceptable daily intake; Cancer; Endocrine disruption
Categories
Funding
- Winter Cereal Trust
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The presence of pesticide residues in wheat produced and imported in South Africa was determined and their health risks assessed. Pesticides were detected in all local (median = 1, range: 1-3, n = 71) and imported (median = 1, range: 1-6, n = 13) samples. Multiple pesticides (>1 pesticide) were detected in about 30% local samples and 39% imported samples. Eight different pesticides were detected in total. The most frequently detected pesticides were mercaptothion (99%), permethrin (19%) and chlorpyrifos (17%). Nine (11%) samples exceeded the EU wheat MRL for permethrin (0.05 mg/kg) which included 7 (10%) local samples and 2 (15%) imported samples. The highest fenitrothion level (0.65 mg/kg) corresponds to an intake that was below but near the estimated short-term safety threshold. The results call for an investigation into the levels of pesticide residues in cereal-based food and for tighter regulation and regular monitoring by government and industry. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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