title: Pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables from Pakistan: a review of the occurrence and associated human health risks.
abstract: The main objective of the review is to document, assess and analyze the results of the previously reported data on levels of different pesticides in selected fruits and vegetables from Pakistan. The findings of the previous studies clearly indicated that more than 50 % of the samples were contaminated with organophosphate, pyrethroids and organochlorine pesticides. Many studies reported that among fresh fruits and vegetables tomato, apple, melon, mango, grapes, and plum crossed the FAO/WHO permissible limits for these contaminants residual levels. The comparison of other regions showed that observed levels were found above maximum residue limits (MRLs) in 50 % of the samples but were in agreement with the studies from neighboring countries like China and Bangladesh. Higher hazard risk index (HRI) values were calculated for dieldrin, methamidophos, o,p'-DDT, diazinon and p,p'-DDT in apple, mango, banana, melon, potato and onion. The review also highlights that data on pesticide residues in foodstuff is scarce which should be overcome by further extending studies from different areas of Pakistan. In order to ascertain the provision of food suitable for human consumption, it is imperative to monitor pesticides in food commodities by the country's authorities and enforce guidelines based on permissible limits.
authors: State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640, China.
authors: Jabir Hussain
authors: JH
authors: Syed
authors: Ambreen
authors: A
authors: Alamdar
authors: Ashiq
authors: A
authors: Mohammad
authors: Karam
authors: K
authors: Ahad
authors: Zunera
authors: Z
authors: Shabir
authors: Haroon
authors: H
authors: Ahmed
authors: Syeda Maria
authors: SM
authors: Ali
authors: Syed Gul Abbas Shah
authors: SG
authors: Sani
authors: Habib
authors: H
authors: Bokhari
authors: Kevin D
authors: KD
authors: Gallagher
authors: Iftikhar
authors: I
authors: Ahmad
authors: Syed Ali Musstjab Akber Shah
authors: SA
authors: Eqani
mesh_terms: D003634:DDT / Q000032:analysis; D004026:Dieldrin / Q000032:analysis; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated / Q000032:analysis; D018551:Solanum lycopersicum; D010154:Pakistan; D010573:Pesticide Residues; D010575:Pesticides / Q000032:analysis; D012306:Risk; D014675:Vegetables / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; D010573:Pesticide Residues; D010575:Pesticides; D003634:DDT; C016340:o,p'-DDT; D004026:Dieldrin