Integrating processing factors and large-scale cabbage cultivation to understand the fate tendency and health risks of tolfenpyrad using deterministic and probabilistic models

Abstract

Understanding the negative effects of agrochemicals on the environment and human health is indispensable for achieving green agriculture. In this study, the optimized UHPLC-MS/MS method achieved a highly sensitive quantification of tolfenpyrad in cabbage within 4.04 min. The occurrence, dissipation, and concentration variation of tolfenpyrad were reflected by the initial deposition of 0.250–2.045 mg/kg, half-lives (T_1/2) of 2.4–10.2 d, and terminal magnitudes within 1.134 mg/kg. Furthermore, the fates of tolfenpyrad during processing were elucidated, with processing factor (Pf) of 0.561–1.282. Among the different processing procedures, soaking in tap water (25 °C) for 5 min removed 43.9% of tolfenpyrad and was recommended for initial processing. The multidimensional dietary assessment revealed unacceptable levels of short-term risks from tolfenpyrad in children (%ARfD, 160.519–688.725%) using deterministic and probabilistic models. Fortunately, the risks were minimized to negligible levels (%ARfD, 69.665–98.719%) through washing and heat processing. Despite the long-term risks (%ADI, 3.310–9.371%) being within the safety threshold, the cumulative effect of tolfenpyrad in multiple crops (%ADI_t, 46.407–121.472%) and regional differences (p < 0.05) should be emphasized. Our investigation shed light on the fates of tolfenpyrad in raw to processed cabbage with the aim of achieving sustainable agriculture and alerting to the agricultural pollutant’s danger to children.