Health risk assessment of penconazole fungicide residues in grapes: insights from Monte Carlo simulation

The misuse and overuse of pesticides can lead to crop contamination and accumulating pesticide residues in the food chain, raising serious public health concerns. This study assessed penconazole residue levels in grape samples from Gonabad's vineyards and evaluated the associated human health risks. In 2022, grape samples were collected from 13 vineyards and analyzed. Penconazole levels in unwashed, water-washed, and disinfected grape samples were 0.256 (0.154-0.391) mg/kg, 0.195 (0.094-0.335) mg/kg, and 0.051 (0.027-0.089) mg/kg, respectively. Although penconazole was detected in all samples, its concentration remained below the EU's Maximum Residue Level (MRL) of 0.4 mg/kg. Washing and disinfection reduced penconazole residues by 23.8% and 80%, respectively, with the highest residues observed in unwashed grapes. The hazard quotient (HQ) values for unwashed, washed, and disinfected samples were below 1, indicating negligible non-cancer health risks for teenagers and adults consuming these grapes. These findings suggest that grape consumption poses minimal health risks related to penconazole residues. This study provides valuable insights into the effectiveness of washing and disinfection in reducing pesticide residues and highlights the importance of monitoring pesticide levels to ensure food safety.