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RESUMO O objetivo deste estudo descritivo e exploratório, de base qualitativa, foi identificar as resoluções do MERCOSUL sobre resíduos de agrotóxicos em alimentos publicadas entre 1991 e 2022, analisando os processos de harmonização regional desses marcos e sua incorporação ao arcabouço regulatório dos Estados Partes fundadores do bloco (Argentina, Brasil, Paraguai e Uruguai). A análise identificou pontos importantes para a regulação e o monitoramento de resíduos de agrotóxicos em alimentos no MERCOSUL, como as sinonímias utilizadas na definição de agrotóxicos e a abrangência do sistema regulatório de cada país, as marcadas diferenças no alcance dos principais marcos regulatórios nacionais, a incorporação desigual de regulamentos internacionais e regionais pelos Estados Partes e os desafios para a harmonização da legislação sobre resíduos de agrotóxicos em alimentos no âmbito do MERCOSUL. Para além dos limitados avanços observados na tentativa de harmonizar a legislação pertinente dentro do bloco, observa-se a necessidade de avançar, nacional e regionalmente, nos processos regulatórios sobre resíduos de agrotóxicos em alimentos, garantindo a qualidade dos produtos e serviços ofertados à população e fortalecendo, assim, um comércio de alimentos mais seguros e produzidos a partir de processos menos prejudiciais ao ambiente no MERCOSUL.
ABSTRACT The objective of this descriptive and exploratory study with a qualitative basis was to identify MERCOSUR resolutions on pesticide residues in food issued between 1991 and 2022, analyzing the regional harmonization processes of these milestones and their incorporation into the regulatory framework of MERCOSUR founding Member States (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay). The analysis identified important points for the regulation and monitoring of pesticide residues in food in MERCOSUR, such as the synonyms used in the definition of pesticides and the scope of the regulatory system in each country, the marked differences in the scope of the main national regulatory frameworks, the unequal incorporation of international and regional regulations by the Member States and the challenges for harmonizing legislation on pesticide residues in food within MERCOSUR. In addition to the limited advances observed in the attempt to harmonize the relevant legislation within the bloc, there is a need to advance, nationally and regionally, in the processes to regulate pesticide residues in food, so as to ensure the quality of the products and services provided to the population and also to strengthen safer agro/food trade that relies on processes that are less harmful to the environment.
RESUMEN El objetivo de este estudio descriptivo y exploratorio, de base cualitativa, fue identificar las resoluciones del MERCOSUR sobre la gestión de residuos de productos agrotóxicos en los alimentos publicadas entre los años 1991 y 2022 y analizar los procesos de armonización regional de esos marcos y su incorporación al marco regulatorio de los Estados Partes fundadores del bloque (Argentina, Brasil, Paraguay y Uruguay). En el análisis se identificaron puntos importantes para la regulación y el seguimiento de la gestión de residuos de productos agrotóxicos en los alimentos en el MERCOSUR, tales como los sinónimos utilizados en la definición de productos agrotóxicos y la amplitud del sistema regulatorio de cada país, las diferencias más destacadas en el alcance de los principales marcos regulatorios nacionales, la desigualdad de la incorporación de los reglamentos regionales e internacionales por parte de los Estados Partes y los desafíos para la armonización de la legislación sobre residuos de productos agrotóxicos en los alimentos en el ámbito del MERCOSUR. Además de los limitados avances observados en el intento de armonizar la legislación pertinente dentro del bloque, existe la necesidad de avanzar, a nivel nacional y regional, en los procesos regulatorios sobre la gestión de residuos de productos agrotóxicos en los alimentos, asegurando la calidad de los productos y servicios ofrecidos a la población y fortaleciendo así el comercio de alimentos más inocuos producidos a partir de procesos menos nocivos para el medioambiente en el MERCOSUR.
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Resumen: Objetivo: Evaluar el cumplimiento de los límites máximos permisibles de residuos de plaguicidas en alimentos del estado de Veracruz, así como evaluar el riesgo para la salud humana debido a su consumo. Material y métodos: Se midieron las concentraciones de residuos de plaguicidas en productos vegetales y se compararon con los valores establecidos como límites de seguridad en el marco regulatorio del uso de plaguicidas. Se calculó el cociente de peligro y sus posibles efectos a la salud. Resultados: El 14.8% de las muestras excedieron la concentración permitida. Se detectaron plaguicidas prohibidos (metamidofos, monocrotofos, triazofos y clorpirifos) que superaron las dosis de referencia establecidas, lo que pone en riesgo de sufrir posibles efectos a la salud del tipo neurológico, hepatotóxico y alteraciones endocrinas a la población. Conclusiones: Se encontraron residuos de plaguicidas altamente peligrosos en los alimentos, los cuales están prohibidos por los convenios internacionales ambientales derivado de su potencial para causar efectos a la salud y al medio ambiente, por lo cual es necesario su eliminación. El marco regulatorio de México debe actualizarse y ser dinámico conforme se avance en el conocimiento de los efectos adversos de los plaguicidas en la salud.
Abstract: Objective: Evaluate compliance with the maximum permissible limits for pesticide residues in food in the state of Veracruz, as well as the risk to human health due to its consumption. Materials and methods: The concentration of pesticide residues in plant products were measured for comparison with the values established as safety limits and the regulatory framework for the use of pesticides. The hazard quotient and its possible effect on health were calculated. Results: 14.8% of the samples exceeded the allowed concentration. We found banned pesticides (methamidophos, monochotophos, triazophos and chlorpyrifos) that exceeded the established references dose, which increase the risk of possible neurological, hepatotoxic and endocrine alterations in health. Conclusions: There is the presence of highly hazardous pesticides, which are prohibited by international environmental conventions due to their impact on health and the environment, which is why their elimination is necessary. The regulatory framework in Mexico must be updated and dynamic as the knowledge of the adverse health effects of pesticides advances.
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ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To estimate the maximum theoretical daily intake of pesticides potentially consumed, chronically, by the Brazilian population. METHOD By using data from the food consumption section of the 2008-2009 Household Budget Survey to characterize the population diet, a database was built to group the foods based on the NOVA classification. Considering the maximum residue limit values of each pesticide authorized in the country until 2016, the limits of all consumed foods were added and multiplied by the amount consumed, resulting in the maximum theoretical intake index, which was compared with the acceptable daily intake. RESULTS The results show that, of the 283 pesticides considered in the database, 71 (25%) compounds had estimates of zero intake, 144 compounds (50.8%) reached acceptable daily intake values and 68 compounds (24%) showed median intake that exceeded the acceptable daily value. The pesticide intake estimation according to the different regions of the country showed a variation in the amount of compounds that exceeded the acceptable daily intake (48 to 69 substances) due to the different consumption patterns. The categories of products that most exceeded the limits were the insecticides, herbicides and fungicides. CONCLUSION The application of this methodology is valid for the first step in risk assessment, but the resulting values may be different from the actual exposure since they do not include other factors, such as the combined use of pesticides or unauthorized products. The importance of developing research on specific national food consumption data in a systematic way is emphasized, which generates data and analyses that allow a detailed risk assessment.
RESUMO OBJETIVO Estimar a ingestão diária máxima teórica dos agrotóxicos potencialmente consumidos, de forma crônica, pela população brasileira. MÉTODO Utilizando os dados do bloco de consumo alimentar da Pesquisa de Orçamentos Familiares de 2008-2009 para caracterização da dieta da população, foi construído um banco de dados agrupando os alimentos com base na classificação NOVA. Considerando os valores de limite máximo de resíduos de cada agrotóxico autorizado no país até o ano de 2016, foram somados os limites de todos os alimentos consumidos, multiplicados pela quantidade consumida, gerando o índice de ingestão teórica máxima, que foi comparado com a ingestão diária aceitável. RESULTADOS Os resultados mostram que dos 283 agrotóxicos considerados no banco de dados, 71 compostos tiveram estimativas de ingestão zero (25%), 144 compostos (50,8%) atingiram aos valores de ingestão diária aceitável e 68 compostos (24%) apresentaram mediana de ingestão que excedeu o valor diário aceitável. Quando realizada a estimativa de ingestão de agrotóxicos discriminando as distintas regiões do país, houve variação (entre 48 e 69 substâncias) na quantidade de compostos que excederam a ingestão diária aceitável devido aos diferentes padrões de consumo da população. As categorias dos produtos que mais excederam as estimativas são inseticidas, herbicidas e fungicidas. CONCLUSÃO A aplicação dessa metodologia é válida para o primeiro passo na avaliação de risco, porém os valores resultantes podem ser diferentes da exposição real por não englobar outros fatores, como o uso combinado de agrotóxicos ou de produtos de uso não autorizado. É ressaltada a importância do desenvolvimento de pesquisas de dados específicos de consumo de alimentos nacionais de forma sistemática, gerando dados e análises que viabilizem uma avaliação pormenorizada sobre riscos.
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Humans , Pesticides , Pesticide Residues/analysis , Brazil , Food Contamination/analysis , Risk Assessment , EatingABSTRACT
Resumo Introdução A agricultura no Brasil caracteriza-se pelo uso elevado de agrotóxicos. Os inseticidas organofosforados estão entre a classe de agrotóxicos mais intensamente aplicados. Objetivo: Estimar a ingestão de resíduo de agrotóxicos organofosforados por crianças e adultos, considerando o consumo da população brasileira e a recomendação diária de frutas e hortaliças (FH). Método Foram calculados a Estimativa Diária de Ingestão (EDI) e o percentual da Ingestão Diária Aceitável (%IDA) de acordo com a metodologia proposta pela WHO e FAO, em que %IDA > 100 caracteriza um possível risco de ingestão de agrotóxicos. Os dados sobre a concentração do agrotóxico no alimento foram obtidos do Programa de Análise de Resíduo de Agrotóxicos. Os dados sobre consumo do alimento e o peso corpóreo da população em estudo foram obtidos da Pesquisa de Orçamento Familiar de 2008-2009. A recomendação de ingestão de FH preconizada para uma dieta saudável foi de 400 gramas/dia. Resultados Com base no consumo alimentar da população brasileira, apenas o agrotóxico metidationa excedeu o parâmetro toxicológico de segurança para crianças. Caso o consumo de FH pela população brasileira alcançasse a recomendação da WHO, seis agrotóxicos excederiam o %IDA para crianças: diazinona, dicofol, dimetoato, metamidofós, metidationa e protiofós. Já para adultos, três agrotóxicos excederiam o %IDA: dicofol, metamidofós e metidationa, deflagrando o uso indiscriminado desses inseticidas. Conclusão A promoção do consumo de FH deve vir acompanhada de programas de monitoramento da comercialização, do uso desses agentes químicos e dos seus resíduos nos alimentos.
Abstract Background The agriculture of Brazil is characterized by the high use of pesticides. Among the most intensely applied pesticides is the class of organophosphate insecticides. Objective: Estimate organophosphate pesticide ingestion in children and adults considering the consumption and daily recommended intake of fruits and vegetables (FV). Method Estimated Daily Intake (EDI) and percentage of Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) were calculated according to the methodology proposed by WHO and FAO, where % ADI >100 features possible risk of pesticide ingestion. Data on pesticide residue in food obtained from the Pesticide Residue Analysis Program were used. National diet and body weight data of the studied population were obtained from the Household Budget Survey of 2008-2009. The recommended FV intake for a healthy diet used in this study was 400 grams/day. Results Based on the Brazilian population's daily food intake, methidathion was the only pesticide to exceed the toxicology standard for children. If the FV intake reached the level recommended by WHO, six pesticides would exceed the %ADI for children: diazinon, dicofol, dimethoate, methamidophos, methidathion and prothiofos, and three pesticides would exceed the %ADI for adults: dicofol, methamidophos, and methidathion, showing the excessive use of these chemicals. Conclusion Encouragement of FV consumption must be accompanied by programs that monitor the commercialization and use of these pesticides, as well as their residues in food.
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Antibiotics are widely used for the treatment of dairy cows and the residues of these drugs may remain in milk and dairy products, which can be a potential threat to human health. Exposure to low levels of antibiotics is considered a public health problem as this may result in the development of resistant strains of human bacteria. The presence of antibiotic residues (AR) in milk is also a problem for the dairy industry as they can inhibit the growth of lactic bacteria. According to Brazilian legislation, antimicrobials should be used in accordance with Good Farming Practices. However, recent studies have reported contamination in milk marketed in the country. This work aimed to review studies, published over the last 10 years, which describe AR in milk marketed in Brazil. The Maximum Residue Limit, the methods for quantification of AR and the results of published studies by authors and government agencies are discussed.
Los antibióticos se utilizan ampliamente para el tratamiento de las vacas lecheras y los residuos de estos medicamentos pueden permanecer en la leche y los productos lácteos, los que pueden ser una amenaza potencial para la salud humana. La exposición a bajos niveles de antibióticos se considera un problema de salud pública ya que pueden resultar en el desarrollo de cepas resistentes de bacterias humanos. De acuerdo con la legislación brasileña, los antimicrobianos deben ser utilizados de acuerdo con las Buenas Prácticas Agrícolas. Sin embargo, estudios recientes han informado de la contaminación de la leche comercializada en el país. Este trabajo tuvo como objetivo revisar los estudios publicados en los últimos 10 años, que describen residuos de antimicrobianos en la leche comercializada en Brasil. Se discuten los límites máximos de residuos, los métodos para la cuantificación y los resultados de los estudios publicados por autores y agencias gubernamentales.
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Humans , Food Quality , Impacts of Polution on Health , Dairying , Milk , Anti-Infective AgentsABSTRACT
Antecedentes: En Colombia, la vigilancia del cumplimiento de los Límites Máximos de Residuos LMRs de antimicrobianos veterinarios en carne bovina es exigua, debido a que la capacidad analítica es insuficiente para monitorear un gran número de muestras y un amplio rango de antibióticos. El bioensayo es un método microbiológico desarrollado por la agencia de salud pública (FSIS) del Departamento de Agricultura de Estados Unidos, para la detección, identificación y semicuantificación de residuos antimicrobianos. Objetivos: Se evaluó preliminarmente el bioensayo para determinar su uso como prueba de detección cualitativa para el monitoreo y vigilancia de residuos de cuatro antimicrobianos en músculo bovino, como contribución al sistema de gestión de inocuidad en el marco del Acuerdo sobre la aplicación de Medidas Sanitarias y Fitosanitarias, bajo lineamientos de la Comisión Europea, Decisión 2002/657/CE. Métodos: El protocolo de experimentación usó tejidos fortificados con diferentes concentraciones de penicilina G potásica, oxitetraciclina, eritromicina y estreptomicina, como representantes de cuatro familias de antibióticos de uso veterinario en Colombia. Para el establecimiento de los criterios de funcionamiento del bioensayo se prepararon seis repeticiones de cada uno de los niveles o concentraciones probadas por antimicrobiano, incluyendo un nivel sin fortificación y cinco niveles de concentraciones antibióticas menores, iguales y superiores al Límite Máximo de Residuos LMRs de cada uno de los antimicrobianos analizados. Resultados: Se establecieron preliminarmente los criterios de funcionamiento del método (especificidad, límites de detección y estabilidad). La técnica mostró excelente especificidad (ningún falso-positivo); los límites de detección se determinaron para los cuatro antibióticos con relación a sus respectivos LMRs: Betalactámicos (penicilina G =LMR), tetraciclinas (oxitetraciclina =LMR), macrólidos (eritromicina =LMR) y aminoglucósidos (estreptomicina >4 LMR); sin embargo, la sensibilidad del bioensayo para estreptomicina no fue satisfactoria. La estabilidad de los analitos en la matriz fortificada al límite de detección, resultó adecuada durante el período de tiempo evaluado. Conclusiones: El método del bioensayo preliminarmente evaluado es aplicable a la detección de una amplia gama de residuos antimicrobianos en músculo bovino, a concentraciones iguales a los LMRs.
Background: In Colombia, the vigilance of the Maximum Residue Limits MRLs of veterinary antimicrobials in cattle meat is limited, because the analytical capacity is insufficient to monitor a large number of samples and a wide range of antibiotics. The bioassay is a microbiological method developed by the health public agency (FSIS) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for the detection, identification and semiquantification of antimicrobial residues in cattle muscle. Objective: It was evaluated preliminary the bioassay for use as a test for the qualitative detection for monitoring and surveillance of four antimicrobials in cattle muscle, as contribution to the inocuity management system within the agreement framework about the application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures; using some guidelines of the European Decision 2002/657/EC. Methods: The experimental protocol used fortified tissues with varying concentrations of penicillin G potassium, oxytetracycline, erythromycin and streptomycin, as representatives of the four important families of veterinary antibiotics used in Colombia. To establish the performance criteria of the bioassay were prepared six replicates of each of the levels or concentrations tested for antimicrobial, including a level without fortification and five levels of lower antibiotic concentrations, equal and above MRL Maximum Residue Limit for each one of the tested antimicrobials. Results: The performance characteristics of method were preliminarily determined (specificity, detection limits and stability). The test showed excellent specificity (no false positive); detection limits were determined for the four antibiotics in relation to their respective Maximum Residue Limit MRLs: Beta-lactams (penicillin G =MRL), tetracyclines (oxytetracycline =MRL), macrolides (erythromycin =MRL) and aminoglycosides (streptomycin >4 MRL); however, the sensitivity of bioassay for the streptomycin was unsatisfactory. Stability of the analytes in the matrix was adequate during the period evaluated. Conclusions: The preliminary bioassay method evaluated is applicable to the detection of a broad range of antimicrobial residues in bovine muscle at concentrations at the MRLs.
Subject(s)
Humans , Biological Assay , Tetracyclines , Streptomycin , Anti-Infective AgentsABSTRACT
Cross River serves as a major source of drinking water, transportation, agricultural activities and fishing in Cross River State, Nigeria. Since there is no formal control of effluents discharged into the river, it is important to monitor the levels of metals contaminants in it, thus assessing its suitability for domestic and agricultural use. In order to determine this, three sampling stations designated as Ikom (Station I), Obubra Ogada (Station II) and Calabar (Station III) were randomly selected to study. For this, ten samples of the freshwater Silver Catfish (Chryshchythys nigrogitatus) (29.4-39.5cm SL, 310-510g), sediment and water were collected from each sampling Station from June 2009-June 2010. The heavy metals profiles of Zn, Cu, Fe, Co, Pb, Cd and Cr, in water, sediments and fish muscle were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). In fish, the heavy metals concentration was found to be Cu>Fe>Zn>Cu>Pb>Cd>Co; the highest mean concentration of Copper (0.297±0.022 μg/g), Cadmium (0.011±0.007μg/g), Iron (0.371±0.489μg/g), Lead (0.008±0.008μg/g), were determined for the fish. In water, the order was found to be Fe>Pb>Zn>Cu>Cr>Cd>Co; the highest mean concentration of Iron (0.009±0.00μg/g), Copper (0.015±0.01 μg/g), Lead (0.0002±0.00μg/g) Cadmium (0.0006±0.001μg/g), Zinc (0.0036±0.003μg/g), were observed in the surface water, respectively. The highest mean concentration of Copper (0.037±0.03μg/g), Iron (0.053±0.04μg/g), Lead (0.0002±0.00μg/g), Cobalt (0.0002±0.00μg/g), Cadmium (0.0006±0.001μg/g) and Zinc (.009±0.0015μg/g) was observed in the bottom water. In sediments, the concentration order found was Zn>Fe>Cu>Pb>Co>Cd; the highest mean concentration of 0.057±0.04μg/g, 0.043±0.03μg/g, 0.0006±0.00μg/g, 0.0002±0.00μg/g, 0.0009±0.00μg/g, 0.099±0.00404μg/g in Iron, Copper, Lead, Cobalt, Cadmium and Zinc were observed in the sediment, respectively; Chromium was not detected in the sediment for the whole sampling area. Most of the heavy metals were below the maximum allowable levels set by the WHO, FEPA and USEPA, except Zinc which mean concentration of 0.099±0.00404μg/g was above the recommended limit of 0.0766μg/g of USEPA in the sediment at Ikom. This implies that the waste assimilation capacity of the river is high, a phenomenon that could be ascribed to dilution, sedimentation and continuous water exchange. This is an indication that an urban and industrial waste discharged into the Cross River has a significant effect on the ecological balance of the river. Thus fish species from the Cross River harvested are safe for human consumption.
Cross River funciona como una fuente importante de agua potable, transporte, actividades agrícolas y pesqueras en el Estado Cross River, Nigeria. Dado que no existe un control formal de los efluentes vertidos en el río, es importante monitorear los niveles de metales contaminantes en el mismo, por lo tanto la evaluación de su idoneidad para el uso doméstico y agrícola. Para la determinación de lo anterior, tres estaciones de muestreo designadas como Ikom (Estación I), Obubra Ogada (Estación II) y Calabar (Estación III) fueron seleccionadas al azar para el estudio. Se tomaron diez muestras de “Bagre de agua dulce de plata” (Chryshchythys nigrogitatus) de 29.4-39.5cm LE (longitud estándar) y 310-510g de peso, sedimentos y agua fueron recolectadas en cada estación de muestreo de junio 2009 a junio 2010. Los perfiles de metales pesados de Zn, Cu, Fe, Co, Pb, Cd y Cr, en agua, sedimentos y músculos de peces fueron analizados por espectrofotometría de absorción atómica (AAS). En los peces, la concentración de metales pesados que se determinó fue Cu>Fe>Zn>Cu>Pb>Cd>Co, para los peces se determinó una mayor concentración media de cobre (0.297±0.022g/g), cadmio (0.011±0.007μg/g), hierro (0.371±0.489μg/g) y plomo (0.008±0.008μg/g). En el agua, el orden se determinó como sigue: Fe>Pb>Zn>Cu>Cr>Cd>Co, con una mayor concentración promedio de hierro (0.009±0.00μg/g), cobre (0.015±0.01g/g), plomo (0.0002±0.00μg/g), cadmio (0.0006±0.001μg/g) y zinc (0.0036±0.003μg/g), se observaron en la superficie del agua, respectivamente. La mayor concentración promedio de cobre (0.037±0.03μg/g), hierro (0.053±0.04μg/g), plomo (0.0002±0.00μg/g), cobalto (0.0002±0.00μg/g), cadmio (0.0006±0.001g/g) y zinc (0.009±0.0015μg/g) se observó en el agua del fondo. En los sedimentos, el orden de concentración fue: Zn>Fe>Cu>Pb>Co>Cd, la mayor concentración media fue de 0.057±0.04μg/g, 0.043±0.03μg/g, 0.0006±0.00μg/g, 0.0002±0.00μg/g, 0.0009±0.00μg/g y 0.099±0.00404μg/g para hierro, cobre, plomo, cobalto, cadmio y zinc, respectivamente, no se detectó cromo. La mayoría de los metales pesados por debajo de los niveles máximos permisibles establecidos por la OMS, FEPA y USEPA, con excepción de zinc cuya concentración media fue de 0.099±0.00404μg/g estuvo por encima del límite recomendado de 0.0766μg/g de EPA en el sedimento de la Estación I (Ikom). Esto implica que la capacidad de asimilación de residuos del río es alta, un fenómeno que podría atribuirse a la dilución, la sedimentación y el intercambio continuo de agua. Lo cual es una indicación de que efluentes vertidos en el Cross River por zonas urbanas e industriales tienen un efecto significativo en el equilibrio ecológico del río. Así, las especies de peces del Río Cross son seguras para el consumo humano.