Risk assessment of pesticide residues in dates in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

Pesticides are applied to protect plants from pest infestation and subsequent damage caused resulting in undesirable effects. Nevertheless, human exposure to residues from these pesticides may pose health implications. Residue monitoring programs have been established in many countries to assess the use of pesticides in accordance with good agricultural practices. The current study is an effort to report on the status of pesticide residues in date fruit and to conduct a risk assessment based on dates consumption among adults in the UAE. A total of 464 date fruit samples were obtained in 2024 as part of this survey in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and analyzed for 365 pesticide residues. Pesticide extraction was performed using the QuEChERS method, followed by detection through liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. The results from the validation data indicate that the method has sufficient accuracy for the detection of pesticide residues in date plan fruits. A total of 292 (63%) samples did not contain detectable quantity of pesticides while 172 samples (37%) were found to contain pesticides exceeding the regulatory limits. Deltamethrin of pyrethroid family was the predominant insecticide found in 41% of the positive samples. In addition, residues of Cypermethrin, Pyridaben, Lambda-Cyhalothrin, Chlorpyrifos, Spirodiclofen, Thiamethoxam, Carbendazim, Imidacloprid, Fenzaquin, Fenvalerate, Matrine, Chlorantraniliprole, Clothianidin Fenpyroximat, Acetamiprid, Abamectin, Acirnathrin and Ethion were also detected. The hazard index data indicates that the dietary exposure to the assessed pesticides is within acceptable safety limits. The study emphasizes the significance of regular monitoring and its value in food safety management.