Dietary intake of organophosphate pesticides in Kuwait

The State of Kuwait, in cooperation with the U.S. FDA, conducted a total diet study (TDS) to estimate pesticide intake by the population. The organophosphate (OP) pesticide levels in 139 food items, constituting the TDS core list, are reported here. The TDS core food list was established through a nationwide food consumption survey. All foods were prepared as eaten, and analyzed for their organochlorine pesticide, OP, carbamate, benzimidazole and phenyl urea contents. The FDA's Multiresidue Methods, PAM I, were used employing GC, HPLC and GPC. Twenty-five of the foods analyzed contained OPs. These included 7 of 12 cereal products (chloropyriphos=0.03-0.21 ppm and fenetrothion=0.016-0.84 ppm), 6 of 16 vegetables (diazinon=0.05-0.2 ppm, and chloropyrifos, and fenthione sulfone), 1 of 16 fruits (monocrotophos) and 11 of 47 composite dishes (chloropyrifos methyl=0.011-0.089 ppm and fenetrothion 0.011-0.044 ppm). The higher levels of fenetrothion in one cereal product exceeded the MRLs, and warrant corrective and preventive measures. The daily intakes of OP pesticide residues are discussed in light of the ADIs of the FAO/WHO (1993). Codex Alimentarius. Pesticide residues in food (Vol. 2, 2nd ed.). Rome: Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme.