EVALUATION OF ORGANOPHOSPHORUS PESTICIDE-RESIDUES IN CITRUS-FRUITS FROM THE VALENCIAN COMMUNITY (SPAIN)

Approximately 200 citrus samples from markets of the Valencian Communi ty (Spain) were analyzed to establish their residue levels in 12 organ ophosphorus pesticide residues during the 1994-1995 campaign, The orga nophosphorus pesticides carbophenothion, chlorpyriphos, chlorfenvinpho s, diazinon, ethion, fenitrothion, malathion, methidation, methylparat hion, phosmet, quinalphos, and tetradifon were simultaneously extracte d by matrix solid-phase dispersion and determined by gas chromatograph y-mass spectrometry using selected ion monitoring mode, A total of 32. 25% contained pesticide residues and 6.9% exceeded the European Union Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs), The pesticides found in the samples wit h residues above MRLs were carbophenothion, ethion, methidathion, and methyl parathion, Lower level residues of these and the other pesticid es studied (except diazinon) were frequently found, The estimated dail y intake of the 12 organophosphorus pesticide residues during the stud ied period was 4.87 x 10(-4) mg/kg body weight/day. This value is lowe r than the provisional tolerances dairy intakes proposed by the Food a nd Agriculture Organization and the World Health Organization.