Sonia Bio Rocha

Evaluation of pesticide residues in oranges from São Paulo, Brazil

Pesticides in “PERA” orange samples (N = 57) from Sao Paulo City, Brazil were assessed and the pesticide intake contribution was estimated for chronic risk assessment. Seventy-six pesticides were evaluated by the gas chromatography multi-residue method, including isomers and metabolites (4.332 determinations). The mean recoveries at the limit of quantification level were in the range of 72-115% and the relative standard deviation for five replicate samples was 1-11%. The limits of detection and quantification ranged from 0.005 to 0.4 mg.kg−1 and from 0.01 to 0.8 mg.kg−1, respectively. Pesticides were found in 42.1% of the samples at levels ranging from 0.06 to 2.9 mg.kg−1. Of the contaminated samples, 3.5% contained residues (bifenthrin and clofentezine) above the maximum residue level and 12.3% contained unauthorized pesticides (azinphos-ethyl, parathion, myclobutanil, profenofos, and fenitrothion). The estimated risk characterization for orange intake by adults and children, respectively, ranged from 0.04 to 6.6% and from 0.1 to 26.5% of the acceptable daily intake. The detection of irregular residues emphasizes the need for better implementation of Good Agriculture Practices and greater control of formulated products. Other pesticides surveyed did not pose a health risk due to consumption.

Projeto-piloto do Primeiro Inquérito Nacional de Populações Expostas a Substâncias Químicas, 2008-2009

Para viabilizar a futura realizacao de um Inquerito Nacional de Populacoes Expostas a Substâncias Quimicas, executou-se um projeto-piloto para examinar a exequibilidade, testar e adequar metodologias e estabelecer parcerias. Foram realizados tres estudos de corte transversal, respectivamente, com doadores de sangue residentes na Regiao Metropolitana de Sao Paulo-SP, conscritos do Exercito Brasileiro e criancas escolares residentes no municipio do Rio de Janeiro-RJ, mediante aplicacao de questionarios e coleta de material biologico (sangue venoso e capilar, unha e cabelo) para analise de metais e compostos organoclorados persistentes. Concluiu-se que e viavel a realizacao de um Inquerito Nacional, embora a estrategia de obtencao das amostras biologicas deva ser definida para cada subgrupo da populacao. Recomenda-se aproveitar as estruturas de servicos existentes para obtencao de amostras, utilizar matrizes tradicionais para maior comparabilidade e garantir sua realizacao periodica.