To investigate the pesticide residue levels in main leafy vegetables in Sichuan Province, assess the dietary exposure risks to residents.
A total of 769 samples of 5 kinds of leafy vegetables (celery, Chinese cabbage, bok choy, romaine lettuce and spinach) were collected in 2024 from 52 counties across 16 cities/prefectures of Sichuan Province. The 60 kinds of pesticides from 8 categories, including fipronil, were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(GC-MS/MS). Dietary exposure risks were comprehensively evaluated using the hazard risk coefficient (R), index of food safety (IFS) and acute dietary intake risk [expressed as the percentage of the acute reference dose (ARfD, denoted as %ARfD)].
The overall detection rate of pesticide residues was 69.96%, with an exceedance rate of 5.85% and a compliance rate of 94.15%. Chlorpyrifos exhibited relatively high R values in celery, bok choy and spinach, at 6.75, 2.57 and 8.79, respectively. The 14 kinds of pesticides, including propiconazole and difenoconazole, showed unacceptable IFS values (1.02–6.90). The 16 kinds of pesticides, such as cyhalothrin, demonstrated acceptable acute dietary risks (%ARfD<100%).
Leafy vegetables in Sichuan Province still show issues of excessive or off-label use of pesticides such as propiconazole, as well as the illegal use of banned or restricted pesticides like chlorpyrifos, posing potential dietary exposure risks. Strengthened regulation and enforcement regarding these pesticides are needed to support the sustainable development of Sichuan’s vegetable industry and to safeguard public health.
| 科 Family | 属数 Number of genus | 种数 Number of species | 占总种数比例 Percentage of total species (%) | 属 Genus | 种数 Number of species | 占总种数比例 Percentage of total species (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 鹅膏菌科Amanitaceae | 2 | 11 | 5.26 | 鹅膏菌属 Amanita | 10 | 4.78 |
| 小菇科 Mycenaceae | 2 | 12 | 5.74 | 丝盖伞属 Inocybe | 5 | 2.39 |
| 多孔菌科 Polyporaceae | 8 | 14 | 6.70 | 蜡蘑属 Laccaria | 5 | 2.39 |
| 红菇科 Russulaceae | 3 | 23 | 11.00 | 小皮伞属 Marasmius | 6 | 2.87 |
| 小菇属 Mycena | 11 | 5.26 | ||||
| 光柄菇属 Pluteus | 5 | 2.39 | ||||
| 红菇属 Russula | 17 | 8.13 | ||||
| 栓菌属 Trametes | 5 | 2.39 |