Dietary intake of organophosphate pesticides in Kuwait

The State of Kuwait, in cooperation with the U.S. FDA, conducted a total di et study (TDS) to estimate pesticide intake by the population. The organoph osphate (OP) pesticide levels in 139 food items, constituting the TDS core list, are reported here. The TDS core food list was established through a n ationwide food consumption survey. All foods were prepared as eaten, and an alyzed for their organochlorine pesticide, OF, carbamate, benzimidazole and phenyl urea contents. The FDA's Multiresidue Methods, PAM I, were used emp loying GC, HPLC and GPC, Twenty-five of the Goods analyzed contained OPs. T hese included 7 of 12 cereal products (chloropyriphos = 0.03-0.21 ppm and f enetrothion = 0.016-0.84 ppm), 6 of 16 vegetables (diazinon = 0.05-0.2 ppm, and chloropyrifos, and fenthione sulfone), 1 of 16 fruits (monocrotophos) and 11 of 47 composite dishes (chloropyrifos methyl = 0.011-0.089 ppm and f enetrothion 0.011-0.044 ppm). The higher levels of fenetrothion in one cere al product exceeded the MRLs, and warrant corrective and preventive measure s. The daily intakes of OP pesticide residues are discussed in light of the ADIs of the FAO/WHO (1993). Coder Alimentarius. Pesticide residues in food (Vol. 2, 2nd ed.). Rome: Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.