Estimated daily intake of pesticides and xenoestrogenic exposure by fruit consumption in the female population from a Mediterranean country (Spain)

The presence and concentrations of a total of 100 pesticides in apple samples (n = 30) and 65 in orange juice samples (n = 19) were determined in markets in Madrid (Spain). The presence of at least one pesticide residue was detected in 87% (26 of 30) of samples of apples and 16% (3 of 19) of orange juice samples: orange juices contained only residues from a single pesticide (organophosphates), whilst nearly 75% (19 of 26) of apples showing residues contained more than one compound (organochlorines, organophosphates, carbamates, pyrethroids and others). However, overall, the estimated daily intakes (EDIs) of the different pesticides, from fruit consumption, in Spanish female population were negligible; although is concerning that prepubertal girls accounted for the highest percentages. The analysis of the estimated estrogenic intake also showed minor exposure to pesticides; in this case, the highest intake occurring in perimenopausal women, while the lowest intake happened at childbearing age. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.