Pesticide residue levels and dietary exposure risk assessment in pak-choi (Brassica rapa ssp. chinensis) in Fujian production area

In order to investigate the pesticide residue levels in pak-choi ( Brassica rapa ssp. chinensis) in the main producing areas of Fujian Province, and to assess the dietary exposure risks to human body, 88 samples were collected and detected using the standard residue analytical method of 68 pesticides in vegetables, and the short-term and long-term dietary exposure risks were assessed. The results showed that 68 samples were detected with pesticide residue in 88 pak-choi samples, and the total detection rate was 77.27 %; 27 pesticides were detected, including 18 insecticides and 9 fungicides. The samples with 2 or more detected pesticides accounted for 83.82% of the total samples with detected pesticide residues, which means that the multiple pesticide residues occurred. Using the pesticide toxicology data, acute reference dose (ARfD), acceptable daily intake (ADI), residue data, and pak-choi consumption data, the risk assessment of detected pesticides showed that the short-term dietary exposure risk (%ARfD) ranged from 0 to 90%, and the contribution rate of the long-term dietary exposure risk (RQ_c%) ranged from 0 to 46%. The results showed that residue levels of detected pesticides in pak-choi were low, and the dietary exposure risk was acceptable for customers to consume pak-choi produced in Fujian Province.