Evaluation of pesticide residues in raw vegetables using UHPLC-MS/MS: A risk assessment study

Pollutants such as pesticides have adversely impacted public health and have played a role in the rise of new diseases. This study aims to detect 73 pesticide residues in highly consumed leafy vegetables provided by the main fruit and vegetable market located in Tehran province of Iran. Five types of vegetables, including cress, basil, mint, leek, and dill, were selected, and 180 samples were randomly collected from 22 June to 22 September 2023. Then, extraction was performed by a refined QuEChERS method, and pesticide residues were measured with ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). A non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic approach was used to assess health risk. The results showed that diazinon, one of 73 target pesticides, was detected in most samples. Mint and basil samples have been shown to have diazinon over the national maximum residue level (MRL). However, this pesticide in cress, dill, and leek samples was not higher than the national MRL. In addition, other pesticides such as ethion and tebuconazole were found in some analyzed samples over the national MRL. However, the findings regarding non-carcinogenic risk indicated that both the Hazard Quotient (HQ) and Hazard Index (HI) were below permissible levels for all tested vegetables, and there was no carcinogenic risk for children and adults from consuming leafy vegetables (ILCR<10–6). Finally, it can be concluded that dill, mint, leek, cress, and basil consumption doesn’t pose a considerable risk to consumers. • QuEChERS was a suitable extraction method to measure pesticides with UHPLC-MS/MS. • Diazinon in basil and mint was higher than the national MRL. • There were no considerable health risks in consuming the analyzed leafy vegetables.