Health and environmental risk assessment of berry fruits contaminated with pesticide residues, including soil ecosystem exposure.

INTRODUCTION AND

OBJECTIVE

Pesticides, also known as plant protection products, are used to control pests, plant diseases, and weeds during crop cultivation and post-harvest handling. The aim of the study is evaluation of the health and environmental risks associated with pesticide residues in berry fruits (strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries) available in Poland in 2022.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

The study is based on the results of officially controlled, laboratory analyses of pesticide residues in berry fruits available on the Polish market in 2022, data on fruit consumption, and literature data concerning acceptable daily intake values (ADI). Estimated daily intake (EDI) and hazard quotients (HQ) were calculated to assess the chronic dietary risk. In addition, a screening-level environmental risk assessment was carried out for the same active substances, focusing on the soil compartment as the main sink of pesticide residues.

RESULTS

The health risk assessment showed that all calculated EDI, HQ, and HI values for pesticide residues in strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries consumed in Poland in 2022 were several orders of magnitude below the threshold of concern (HQ < 1). The environmental risk assessment indicated that most fungicides (boscalid, cyprodinil, fludioxonil, fluopyram) posed low risk to soil organisms (RQ < 1), even under conservative scenarios. However, acetamiprid exceeded the risk threshold at higher assumed soil concentrations (MEC = 0.10 mg/kg), suggesting potential ecological concern for sensitive soil invertebrates, such as collembolans.

CONCLUSIONS

The study showed that pesticide residues in strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries available in Poland in 2022 did not pose a chronic health risk to consumers. Environmental risk assessment indicated low risk for most fungicides; however, acetamiprid exceeded the safety threshold under higher soil contamination scenarios, suggesting potential concern for soil invertebrates.