Protecting public health and the environment: towards a general ban on cellulose acetate cigarette filters in the European Union.

After the establishment of a causal relationship between tobacco use and cancer in the 1950s, cellulose acetate filters were introduced with the claim to reduce the adverse health impact of unfiltered cigarettes. Often perceived to be more pleasant and healthy, filters encouraged smoking. However, filtered cigarettes are more deeply inhaled to obtain the same nicotine demand while altered combustion releases more tobacco-specific nitrosamines. The increasing use of cigarette filter ventilation is associated with a sharp rise in lung adenocarcinomas in recent decades. While not preventing adverse health effects, a global environmental problem has been created due to the non-biodegradable filter litter, causing ecotoxicological effects and the spread of microplastics. Recently, the Belgian Superior Health Council advised policymakers to ban cigarette filters as single-use plastics at both national and European levels. This article outlines the arguments used to justify this plea (human health and environment), the expected effects of a filter ban, as well as the public reception and reactions of the tobacco industry. The specific context of the European Union is discussed including the revision of the Single-Use Plastics Directive, affording a new opportunity to ban plastic filters. This perspective article aims to fuel the momentum and cooperation among member states for this purpose.

Pesticide concentration in three selected fish species and human health risk in the Lake Tana sub-basin, Ethiopia.

Pesticide use has increased in the Lake Tana sub-basin due to increased agricultural activity, potentially endangering nontargeted organisms. To assess its potential impact on fish health and fish-consuming human populations, pesticide concentrations in the fillet and liver tissue of three fish species, namely Labeobarbus megastoma, Labeobarbus tsanensis, and Oreochromis niloticus, were investigated in Lake Tana. Fish samples were taken from the lake near the rivers of Ribb and Gumara, which flow through agricultural areas where considerable amounts of pesticides have been applied. A total of 96 fish samples were collected. Liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) revealed the presence of ten pesticides. Pyrimethanil was frequently detected in 96% of liver and 65% of fillet samples at a median concentration of 33.9 µg kg-1 and 19.7 µg kg-1, respectively. The highest concentration of pyrimethanil was found in L. megastoma (1850.0 µg kg-1). Labeobarbus megastoma also had the highest concentration of oxamyl (507.0 µg kg-1) and flazasulfuron (60.1 µg kg-1) detected in the liver tissue. The highest concentration of carbaryl (56.5 µg kg-1) was found in the liver tissue of O. niloticus. Fish tissue samples from the two study sites contained pyrimethanil, oxamyl, carbaryl, and flazasulfuron. Only pyrimethanil showed a statistically significant difference between the two sites and the species L. megastoma and L. tsanensis. The amounts of pesticides found in the fish species pose no direct risk to the health of fish consumer human population. However, the results show that the lake ecosystem needs immediate attention and regular monitoring of the rising pesticide usage in the lake watershed.

Recombinant expression and characterization of GSTd3 from a resistant population of Anopheles arabiensis and comparison of DDTase activity with GSTe2.

The development of insecticide resistance in malaria vectors is a challenge for the global effort to control and eradicate malaria. Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are multifunctional enzymes involved in the detoxification of many classes of insecticides. For mosquitoes, it is known that overexpression of an epsilon GST, GSTe2, confers resistance towards DDT and pyrethroids. In addition to GSTe2, consistent overexpression of a delta class GST, GSTd3, has been observed in insecticide resistant populations of different malaria vector species. However, the functional role of GSTd3 towards DDT resistance has not yet been investigated. Here, we recombinantly expressed both GSTe2 and GSTd3 from Anopheles arabiensis and compared their metabolic activities against DDT. Both AaGSTd3 and AaGSTe2 exhibited CDNB-conjugating and glutathione peroxidase activity and DDT metabolism was observed for both GSTs. However, the DDT dehydrochlorinase activity exhibited by AaGSTe2 was much higher than for AaGSTd3, and AaGSTe2 was also able to eliminate DDE although the metabolite could not be identified. Molecular modeling revealed subtle differences in the binding pocket of both enzymes and a better fit of DDT within the H-site of AaGSTe2. The overexpression but much lower DDT metabolic activity of AaGSTd3, might suggest that AaGSTd3 sequesters DDT. These findings highlight the complexity of insecticide resistance in the major malaria vectors and the difficulties associated with control of the vectors using DDT, which is still used for indoor residual spraying.

Prevalence, attachment ability and strength of the biological control agent Bacillus thuringiensis on tomato.

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is commonly used as a biological control agent (BCA) to control insect pests in edible plant production and can as such be introduced into the food chain of fresh produce. Using standard food diagnostics Bt will be detected and reported as presumptive B. cereus. Tomato plants are often sprayed with Bt biopesticides for insect control, thus these Bt BCAs can also reach the tomato fruits and persist until consumption. In this study, vine tomatoes from the retail in Belgium (Flanders) were investigated for the occurrence and residual numbers of presumptive B. cereus and Bt. Of 109 tomato samples, 61 (56%) were tested positive for presumptive B. cereus. Of the presumptive B. cereus isolates (n = 213) recovered from these samples, 98% were identified as Bt by the production of parasporal crystals. Further quantitative real-time PCR assays on a subselection of Bt isolates (n = 61) showed that 95% of Bt isolates were indistinguishable from Bt biopesticide strains that are approved to be used on crops in the EU. Furthermore, the attachment strength of tested Bt biopesticide strains showed easier wash-off properties if using the commercial Bt granule formulation than the unformulated lab-cultured Bt or B. cereus spore suspensions.

ß-Aminobutyric acid induced phytotoxicity and effectiveness against nematode is stereomer-specific and dose-dependent in tomato.

ß-Aminobutyric acid (BABA) induces resistance to a/biotic stress but is associated with phytotoxicity in some plant species. There are two enantiomers of BABA, the R and S enantiomers. We evaluated the phytotoxicity caused by the RS BABA (racemic mixture of R and S BABA), evaluating the dose-response effect and different modes of application on tomato. Results show that RS BABA-induced phytotoxicity in tomato is dose-dependent and stronger with foliar applications than with soil drench. We further evaluated the phytotoxicity of the two enantiomers separately and observed that BABA-induced phytotoxicity is stereomer-specific. In comparison with less phytotoxic effects induced by S BABA, R BABA induces dose-dependent and systemic phytotoxic symptoms. To investigate the possible physiological causes of this phytotoxicity, we measured levels of oxidative stress and anthocyanins and validated the findings with gene expression analyses. Our results show that high doses of RS and R BABA induce hydrogen peroxide, lipid peroxidation, and anthocyanin accumulation in tomato leaves, while this response is milder and more transient upon S BABA application. Next, we evaluated BABA induced resistance against root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita in tomato. BABA-induced resistance was found to be stereomer-specific and dependent on dose and mode of application. R or RS BABA multiple soil drench application at low doses induces resistance to nematodes with less phytotoxic effects. Taken together, our data provide useful knowledge on how BABA can be applied in crop production by enhancing stress tolerance and limiting phytotoxicity.

Health risk-benefit assessment of the commercial red mangrove crab: Implications for a cultural delicacy.

Mangrove forests, provide vital food resources and are an endangered ecosystem worldwide due to pollution and habitat destruction. A risk-benefit assessment (RBA) was performed on the red mangrove crab (Ucides occidentalis) from the threatened Guayas mangroves in Ecuador. It was aimed to assess the combined potential adverse and beneficial health impact associated with crab consumption and define a recommended safe intake (SI) to improve the diet of the Ecuadoran population while ensuring safe food intake. Target hazard quotients (THQs), benefit quotients (Qs), and benefit-risk quotients (BRQs) were calculated based on the concentrations of the analyzed contaminants (121 pesticide residues, 11 metal(loid)s, antimicrobial drugs from 3 classes) and nutrients (fatty acids, amino acids, and essential nutrients). Except for inorganic arsenic (iAs), the THQ was below 100 for all investigated contaminants, suggesting that the average crab consumer is exposed to levels that do not impose negative non-carcinogenic or carcinogenic health effects in the long and/or short term. Concentrations of iAs (average AsIII: 25.64 and AsV: 6.28 µg/kg fw) were of the highest concern because of the potential to cause negative health effects on long-term consumption. Despite the thriving aquaculture in the Guayas estuary, concentrations of residues of the antimicrobial drugs oxytetracycline (OTC), florfenicol, and nitrofurans still were low. Based on the fact that different risk reference values exist, related to different safety levels, four SI values (0.002, 0.04, 4, and 18 crabs/day) were obtained. The strictest intake values indicate a concern for current consumption habits. In conclusion, the red mangrove crab contains various important nutrients and can be part of a balanced diet for the Ecuadorian population when consumed in limited portions. The present study emphasizes the importance of safeguarding the quality of the environment as a prerequisite for procuring nutritious and safe food.

High-Resolution Genetic Mapping Combined with Transcriptome Profiling Reveals That Both Target-Site Resistance and Increased Detoxification Confer Resistance to the Pyrethroid Bifenthrin in the Spider Mite Tetranychus urticae.

Pyrethroids are widely applied insecticides in agriculture, but their frequent use has provoked many cases of resistance, in which mutations in the voltage-gated sodium channel (VGSC), the pyrethroid target-site, were shown to play a major role. However, for the spider mite Tetranychus urticae, it has also been shown that increased detoxification contributes to resistance against the pyrethroid bifenthrin. Here, we performed QTL-mapping to identify the genomic loci underlying bifenthrin resistance in T. urticae. Two loci on chromosome 1 were identified, with the VGSC gene being located near the second QTL and harboring the well-known L1024V mutation. In addition, the presence of an L925M mutation in the VGSC of a highly bifenthrin-resistant strain and its loss in its derived, susceptible, inbred line indicated the importance of target-site mutations in bifenthrin resistance. Further, RNAseq experiments revealed that genes encoding detoxification enzymes, including carboxyl/choline esterases (CCEs), cytochrome P450 monooxygenases and UDP-glycosyl transferases (UGTs), were overexpressed in resistant strains. Toxicity bioassays with bifenthrin (ester pyrethroid) and etofenprox (non-ester pyrethroid) also indicated a possible role for CCEs in bifenthrin resistance. A selection of CCEs and UGTs were therefore functionally expressed, and CCEinc18 was shown to metabolize bifenthrin, while teturUGT10 could glycosylate bifenthrin-alcohol. To conclude, our findings suggest that both target-site and metabolic mechanisms underlie bifenthrin resistance in T. urticae, and these might synergize high levels of resistance.

Mixture Toxicity of Herbicides with Dissimilar Modes of Action to Myriophyllum spicatum.

Considering the vital role of rooted macrophytes in the aquatic ecosystem, validating assumptions on the interactive effects of herbicides with different modes of action at an environmentally relevant mixture ratio is necessary. We investigated the effects of diflufenican (a carotenoid biosynthesis inhibitor) and iodosulfuron-methyl-sodium (IMS; an acetolactate synthase inhibitor) in a 14-day growth inhibition experiment with Myriophyllum spicatum, wherein single compounds and their combination were tested in parallel (n = 84). The assessment was done using three different methods: significance testing, model deviation ratio (MDR), and mixture interaction factor (MIF). Interactions relative to both concentration addition and independent action were assessed via significance testing. This revealed that diflufenican and IMS acted antagonistically relative to both models for fresh weight and total shoot length (p < 0.05) and that there was slight synergism for the number of side shoots (p < 0.001) relative to concentration addition. The MDR and MIF can only assess interactions relative to the concentration addition model. According to MDR, the mixture appeared to show no interaction (neither antagonistic nor synergistic), whereas the MIF method revealed that the compounds acted antagonistically for fresh weight and that there was a slight synergism for total shoot length and number of side shoots. We conclude that inferences about mixture toxicity interactions are method- and endpoint-dependent, which can have implications for regulatory mixtures assessment. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:2209-2220. © 2022 SETAC.

The multi-actor approach in thematic networks for agriculture and forestry innovation.

The co-creation and sharing of knowledge among different types of actors with complementary expertise is known as the Multi-Actor Approach (MAA). This paper presents how Horizon2020 Thematic-Networks (TNs) deal with the MAA and put forward best practices during the different project phases, based on the results of a desktop study, interviews, surveys and expert workshops. The study shows that not all types of actors are equally involved in TN consortia and participatory activities, meaning TNs might be not sufficiently demand-driven and the uptake of the results is not optimal. Facilitators are key to contributing to the relationships and the mutual understanding between different actors. Moreover, a user-friendly digital knowledge platform linked to demonstration activities and peer-to-peer exchange can improve the sharing of knowledge, enhancing impact in agricultural and forestry innovation in the longer term. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40100-021-00209-0.

Exposure of infants to organochlorine pesticides from breast milk consumption in southwestern Ethiopia.

Breast milk is often used as an environmental bioindicator since it serves as an important medium to accumulate organochlorine pesticides. The main aim of this study is to determine the level of organochlorine pesticides in human breast milk collected from three districts of southwestern Ethiopia (Asendabo, Deneba, and Serbo) at three times points baselines (1st month), midline ( six months), and end line (12 months) and risk of infants' exposure. A longitudinal study was conducted to assess pesticide residues in human breast milk samples and evaluate the risk-exposure of infants to these pesticides from consumption of mother's milk in Ethiopia. Breast milk samples were collected from 168 mothers at three time points and pesticides were extracted using the quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) method. The level of pesticide residues in human milk samples and exposure of infants to the pesticides was evaluated by calculating the estimated daily intake and compared with the provisional tolerable daily intake of the pesticides under study. The results indicated that, from the eight organochlorine pesticides analyzed in 447 breast milk samples at three sampling times, DDT and its metabolites were detected. p,p'-DDE and p,p'-DDT were detected in all (100%) of the breast milk samples while, p,p-DDD, and o,p-DDT were detected in 53.9%, and 42.7%, respectively. The mean concentration of total DDT at three time points(baseline, midline and endline) were 2.25, 1.68 and 1.32 µg/g milk fat, respectively. The mean concentration of total DDT from the three districts was 1.85 µg/g milk fat which is above the maximum residue limit (MRL = 0.02 µg/g milk fat set by FAO/WHO). The mean ratio of DDT/DDE for the three areas was calculated less than five (< 5) indicates historical DDT use in the study area. The estimated daily intake of infants at the first month of breastfeeding was 11.24 µg/kg-BW/day, above the provisional tolerable daily intake (PTDI) for total DDT set by FAO/WHO, which is 10 µg/kg body weight. An intake of OCPs is a big concern for infants' health in Ethiopia and countries with a similar condition, particularly at the first month of lactation. Strict regulations of the health-threatening pesticide by the regulatory body (Environment, Forest and Climate Change Commission) at the country and regional levels is advocated.

Towards Integrated Pest and Pollinator Management in Intensive Pear Cultivation: A Case Study from Belgium.

Recently, the concept of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) was further extended into Integrated Pest and Pollinator Management (IPPM). Implementation of IPPM strategies entails the combination of actions for pest and pollinator management providing complementary or synergistic benefits for yield and/or quality of the harvest. The aim of this study was to examine IPPM elements (i.e., mixed hedgerow, nesting boxes for mason bees, Osmia spp.) and demonstrate their impact in the practical context of modern commercial fruit cultivation in a 4-year case study in an intensive 'Conference' pear orchard. The outcomes of visual observations during transect walks and molecular analysis of pollen collected by mason bees, showed the importance of additional floral resources for the presence of mason bees and other pollinating insects in the orchard environment. Pear quality assessments indicated that insect-mediated pollination had a significant positive impact, with a tendency for higher quality pears in the close vicinity of Osmia nesting boxes. However, despite the fact that pear pollen was also detected in Osmia spp. nest cells, the amount and frequency of pear pollen collection for their nest built-up turned out to be rather low. In the same intensive pear orchard studied for pollination effects, we simultaneously demonstrate the impact of a mixed hedgerow to enhance integrated pest control.

Contamination of Foods from Cameroon with Residues of 20 Halogenated Pesticides, and Health Risk of Adult Human Dietary Exposure.

(1) Background: Halogenated pesticides are abundantly used in Cameroon, but there is no information on the health risk of consumers from exposure to their residues in foods. (2) Methods: Residues of 20 halogenated pesticides were determined in 11 agricultural products collected in the 3 largest cities of Cameroon using QuEChERS extraction and gas chromatography with electron capture detector (GC-ECD), and health risk from dietary exposure was assessed. (3) Results: Organochlorines pesticides aldrin, p,p'-dichlorodiphenyl-trichloroethane (DDT) and ß-hexachlorocyclohexane (ß-HCH) found in 85.0%, 81.9% and 72.5% of samples, respectively, were the most frequently detected. The highest average concentrations of residues were 1.12, 0.74 and 0.39 mg/kg for methoxychlor, alachlor and ß-HCH, respectively, found in chilli pepper. Chili pepper (58.9%), cowpea (56.8%), black beans (56.5%) and kidney beans (54.0%) exhibited the highest residue occurrences. Levels above the European Union maximum residue limits (MRLs) were found for all the 20 pesticides, in 40.1% of the positive analyses, and the food samples contained 14 pesticides banned in Cameroon. Chronic, acute, cumulative and carcinogenic risk assessments revealed that lifetime consumption of maize, black beans, kidney beans, groundnuts and chili pepper contaminated with aldrin, dieldrin, endrin, HCB, heptachlor, o,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDD, p,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDE and ß-HCH, could pose health risks. (4) Conclusion: These results show that there is an urgent need of pesticide usage regulation, effective application of pesticide bans and management of obsolete pesticide stocks in Cameroon.

Pesticide residues in (treated) wastewater and products of Belgian vegetable- and potato processing companies.

Pesticides are broadly utilized in crop cultivation and could end up in wastewater of vegetable- and potato companies during water-consuming processing steps. To gain insight into the presence of pesticide residues in (waste)water of these industries, water was analysed and monitored from three vegetable- and two potato processing companies in Belgium. During one year samples were collected of water before and after primary/secondary treatment (i.e. influent and effluent) and after tertiary treatment. Next to water, also (processed) carrot and potato products were analysed. Results show that boscalid (maximum: 18.32 µg/L) and terbuthylazine (maximum: 87.99 µg/L) are predominantly present in the vegetable industry and chlorpropham (maximum: 8.80×106 µg/L) and terbuthylazine (maximum: 3.37×105 µg/L) in the potato industry. The conventional treatment techniques seem to be insufficient for the removal of pesticides. Concentrations were even higher in the effluent than in the influent. Also, tertiary treatment techniques as ultra-filtration and reverse osmosis fail to reduce all pesticides below the European potable water limit of 0.1 µg/L. To meet this standard, the development and validation of new removal techniques are essential. Regarding product samples, almost no pesticide residues exceeded the MRL. Chlorpropham concentrations were statistically confirmed to be higher in potatoes and wastewater sampled when stored potatoes are processed.

Larval oral exposure to thiacloprid: Dose-response toxicity testing in solitary bees, Osmia spp. (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae).

Risk assessment of pesticides involves ecotoxicological testing. In case pesticide exposure to bees is likely, toxicity tests are performed with honey bees (Apis mellifera), with a tiered approach, for which validated and internationally accepted test protocols exist. However, concerns have grown regarding the protection of non-Apis bees [bumble bees (Bombus spp.), solitary and stingless bees], given their different life cycles and therefore distinct exposure routes. Larvae of solitary bees of the genus Osmia feed on unprocessed pollen during development, yet no toxicity test protocol is internationally accepted or validated to assess the impact of pesticide exposure during this stage of their life cycle. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to further validate a test protocol with two solitary bee species (O. cornuta and O. bicornis) to assess lethal and sublethal effects of pesticide exposure on larval development. Larvae were exposed to thiacloprid (neonicotinoid insecticide) mixed in a new, artificial pollen provision. Both lethal (developmental and winter mortality) and sublethal endpoints (larval development time, pollen provision consumption, cocoon weight, emergence time and adult longevity) were recorded. Effects of lower, more environmentally realistic doses were only reflected in sublethal endpoints. In both bee species, thiacloprid treatment was associated with increased developmental mortality and larval development time, and decreased pollen provision consumption and cocoon weight. The test protocol proved valid and robust and showed that for higher doses of thiacloprid the acute endpoint (larval mortality) is sufficient. In addition, new insights needed to develop a standardized test protocol were acquired, such as testing of a positive control for the first time and selection of male and female individuals at egg level.

Honey bee exposure scenarios to selected residues through contaminated beeswax.

Twenty-two pesticides and veterinary drugs of which residues were detected in beeswax in Europe were selected according to different criteria. The risk to honey bee health posed by the presence of these residues in wax was assessed based on three exposure scenarios. The first one corresponds to the exposure of larvae following their close contact with wax constituting the cells in which they develop. The second one corresponds to the exposure of larvae following consumption of the larval food that was contaminated from contact with contaminated wax. The third one corresponds to the exposure of adult honey bees following wax chewing when building cells and based on a theoretical worst-case scenario (= intake of contaminants from wax). Following these three scenarios, maximum concentrations which should not be exceeded in beeswax in order to protect honey bee health were calculated for each selected substance. Based on these values, provisional action limits were proposed. Beeswax exceeding these limits should not be put on the market.

Polluted paradise: Occurrence of pesticide residues within the urban coastal zones of Santa Cruz and Isabela (Galapagos, Ecuador).

Although pesticides are frequently used for agriculture in the Galapagos Islands (Ecuador), there are, to date, no investigations of pesticide occurrences in its coastal waters. We examined the presence of pesticide residues in the coastal waters of urban areas in two islands of the Galapagos archipelago using a repeated sampling design. Quantification was performed by solid-phase extraction, followed by chemical analysis using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and gas chromatography-electron capture detector (GC-ECD). The diversity and concentration of pesticide residues in Santa Cruz island were higher compared to Isabela island. In total, sixteen pesticides were detected, including three persistent organic pollutants. Carbendazim (23.93 µg·L-1), cadusafos (4.74 µg·L-1), DDT (2.99 µg·L-1), diuron (1.61 µg·L-1) and aldrin (1.55 µg·L-1) were detected with the highest concentrations between samples. Repetitions in locations show that concentrations of pesticide residues varied considerably in space and time. Comparison with local products indicated agricultural activities on the islands as a possible source. Furthermore, evaluation through ecological risk quotients showed that the observed concentration levels of seven pesticides pose a relatively high risk for three biotic groups (i.e. algae, invertebrates and fishes). Taken together, this study provides insights into the need to regulate, monitor and assess the presence of pesticides in the islands. At a global scale, this study is moreover valuable for the many islands that are facing the same challenges.

Pesticides residues in tobacco smoke: risk assessment study.

Pesticides are not only used on food but also on non-food crops, such as tobacco, to control a range of unwanted animal, plant, and microbial, fungal pests. The residue levels in tobacco leaves are expected to decline up to harvest, during drying, and when the leaves are further processed. Additional pesticides may also be applied to the finished product and residue levels may remain present even when the tobacco is burned. Human exposure to pesticide residues on tobacco occurs when residues remaining in cigarette smoke are inhaled. Based on this assumption, the objectives of this research were (i) to determine the level of pesticides residues in harvested tobacco leaves and (ii) to assess the risk of human exposure to these residues in tobacco smoke. Pesticide residues were detected in all analysed tobacco samples. These detected residues represent ten different active ingredients (AI), three of these AIs (thiodicarb, alachlor, and endosulfan) are no longer allowed in Europe. A 54.7% of these residues were quantifiable. Furthermore, it was found that with the use of solid-phase extraction sorbent (SPE) as adsorbent and n-hexane as solvent, higher recoveries of the pesticide residues in the tobacco smoke from the amount spiked can be obtained. It was also found that cigarette filters help to reduce the intake of residues of pesticides that may be present in cigarettes. Finally, the study concluded that both active smoking and passive smoking populations are exposed to pesticide residues in the tobacco smoke.

Quantification of pesticide residues in the topsoil of Belgian fruit orchards: terrestrial environmental risk assessment.

BACKGROUND: Pesticides are widely used in fruit orchards. In the context of integrated pest management (IPM) Flemish farmers are advised to restrict the use of pesticides. However, pesticide residues could still pose a threat to beneficial organisms. To date, it is not well known which residues are present in IPM orchards. This study focuses on the pesticide concentration in the topsoil and the implications for soil-dwelling organisms. RESULTS: Topsoil was sampled in ten sweet cherry (Prunus avium (L.) L.) and eight apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) orchards in Flanders (Belgium), to quantify the concentration of pesticide residues. Topsoil was selected because it is a major exposure route for beneficials. Both pesticides from both current spraying schedules and those used previously were found. In addition, an environmental risk assessment was performed using species sensitivity distribution (SSD) and toxicity/exposure ratio (TER) approaches. The SSD approach led to a more conservative outcome. None of the pesticides in the spraying schedule revealed a risk, although some of the persistent and banned pesticides may continue to do so. CONCLUSION: Spraying schedules are good predictors of environmental contamination. Monitoring of residues remains essential to determine the real residue concentration in the topsoil. SSDs proved valuable. It was inferred that in addition to the standard test with the earthworm Eisenia fetida (Savigny, 1826), an arthropod test organism such as Folsomia candida (Willem, 1902) should be used in future risk assessments because it displays higher sensitivity towards insecticides.

Comparison of electrospray and UniSpray, a novel atmospheric pressure ionization interface, for LC-MS/MS analysis of 81 pesticide residues in food and water matrices.

In mass spectrometry, the type and design of ionization source play a key role on the performance of a given instrument. Therefore, it is of paramount importance to evaluate newly developed sources for their suitability to analyze food contaminants like pesticide residues. Here, we carried out a head-to-head comparison of key extraction and analytical performance parameters of an electrospray ionization (ESI) source with a new atmospheric pressure ionization source, UniSpray (US). The two interfaces were evaluated in three matrices of different properties (coffee, apple, and water) to determine if multiresidue analysis of 81 pesticides by QuEChERS extraction and LC-MS/MS analysis could be improved. Depending on the matrix and irrespective of the chemical class, US provided a tremendous gain in signal intensity (22- to 32-fold in peak area, 6- to 7-fold in peak height), a threefold to fourfold increase in signal-to-noise ratio, a mild gain in the range of compounds that can be quantified, and up to twofold improvement of recovery. UniSpray offered comparable linearity and precision of the analyses with ESI, and did not affect the ion ratio. A gain in sensitivity of many compounds was observed with US, but in general, the two ionization interfaces did not show significant difference in LOD and LOQ. UniSpray suffered less signal suppression; the matrix effect was in average 3 to 4 times more pronounced, but showed better values than ESI. With no effect on recovery efficiency, US improved the overall process efficiency 3 to 4 times more than ESI. Graphical abstract.

Reduction of pesticide residues from teff (Eragrostis tef) flour spiked with selected pesticides using household food processing steps.

Teff (Eragrostis tef) is an ancient cereal that is indigenous from Ethiopia. Nowadays, teff grain is becoming popular to many parts of the world. Teff is gluten-free in nature, has high iron and fiber content, and many other health benefits make this crop interesting to many consumers. Since no insect pests are attacking the teff grains, farmers do not apply pesticides on it, unlike maize and other grains. Nevertheless, residues of organochlorine pesticides have been detected at an alarming level that could pose a consumer risk. Teff is often consumed as injera which is a fermented flat pancake. The main aim of the present study is, therefore, to investigate the effect of household food processing (doughing and baking) on the reduction of pesticide residues from teff. Pesticide residues previously detected in teff grain such as permethrin, cypermethrin, deltamethrin, chlorpyrifos ethyl, p,p'-DDE, p,p'-DDD, o,p'-DDT, and p,p'-DDT were spiked and extracted followed by the subsequent household processing which are generally doughing (dough making followed by fermentation) and baking. From the findings of this study, doughing decrease the pesticide residues in the range of 59.9-86.4% and baking in the range of 63.2-90.2%. Kruskal-Wallis analysis indicates that the reduction of pesticide residues by baking is significantly different from doughing (p-value < 0.0001). There is also a significant difference between non-fermented and fermented dough (p-value = 0.012). The processing factor for doughing and baking was less than one (PF < 1 = reduction factor) which indicates the reduction of pesticides due to teff processing. The cumulative effect of these processing methods is important to evaluate the risks associated with the ingestion of pesticides, particularly in teff grain.