Residue levels and risk assessment of pesticides in fruits from the Aqaba region in Jordan

Quantification and risk assessment of pesticide residues in fruits from the local market at Aqaba/Jordan were performed. To this end, the level of pesticide residue in fruits and the estimated intake (EI) of it resulting from the intake of fruits were quantified. Out of 130 samples, 34 (26 %) contain pesticides above the quantification limit: 10 samples of apple, 6 samples of peach, 10 samples of grape, 2 samples of pear, and 6 samples of cucumber. 13 samples have multiple residues; apples have the highest, with 7 out of 10 samples having multiple residues. All samples did not pose any hazard to public health since (acute Hazard Quotient) aHQ values were <1, except for four peach samples that showed aHQ values above one for the same pesticide (cypermethrin), and the aHQ values were 4.27, 3.14, 2.4, and 1.85. Because of that, training sessions for farmers about good agricultural practices about the use of pesticides with continuous monitoring by official authorities should be planned and well organized.