Pesticides in fish from the Uruguay River and markets in Argentina and health risk assessment

Food Addit Contam Part B Surveill. 2024 Dec;17(4):319-327. doi: 10.1080/19393210.2024.2380706. Epub 2024 Aug 6.

Abstract

Organochlorine, organophosphate, triazole, and strobilurin pesticides were determined in fish samples. Relative standard deviations lower than 9.3% were obtained for organochlorine pesticides and 10.8% for other pesticides. Accuracy ranged from 73% to 119% for organochlorine pesticides and 80.4% to 116% for organophosphate, triazole, and strobilurin pesticides. A total of 28 pesticides were analysed and 7 of them were detected (exceeding 10 µg/kg) in some samples, with the highest concentration recorded at 68.5 µg/kg, corresponding to heptachlor epoxide A. The pesticide most frequently detected was β HCH, found in 30 of the 100 analysed samples. Hazard Quotient values were estimated for men, women, and children. These values exceeded 1 for heptachlor epoxide in women and children, as well as for endrin in children. These findings emphasise the need for stricter controls to reduce fish contamination and mitigate health risks.

Keywords: Fish; QuEChERS/GC-MS; health risk assessment; pesticides.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Argentina
  • Child
  • Female
  • Fishes*
  • Food Contamination* / analysis
  • Humans
  • Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated / analysis
  • Male
  • Pesticide Residues* / analysis
  • Pesticides / analysis
  • Risk Assessment
  • Rivers* / chemistry
  • Seafood / analysis
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / analysis

Substances

  • Pesticide Residues
  • Pesticides
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical
  • Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated