Pesticide Residues in Tomatoes and Assessment of Human Exposure

The use of pesticides in the field is still the main strategy to combat and control pests in crops. However, these compounds can be potentially toxic to humans and their residues in food can pose a potential health risk to consumers. Tomato is a commodity that requires a high pesticide input and is an important component of the Brazilian and the worldwide diet.

One hundred and eighty tomato samples collected at the Federal District market were analyzed for the fungicides dithiocarbamates  (DC) by the spectrophotometric method using the two tubes in series reaction system. The highest value found in the samples was 1.2 mg CS₂/kg, and 41% of the samples did not have detectable residues  (<0.15 mg CS₂/kg). The values found in samples collected during the rainy season were significantly higher than the values found in samples collected in the dry season (p<0.01). The human exposure to these compounds from the consumption of tomato contributed up to 6.4% of the acceptable daily intake, and is not a risk to consumer health.