Variability of organophosphorus insecticide residues in large size crops grown in commercial farms in Brazil

Field trials were conducted in commercial agricultural areas in Brazil to determine the variability of residues of parathion methyl, diazinon and methidathion in individual units of large crops treated twice with a mixture of the three pesticides. Over 120 random samples were collected, extracted with ethyl acetate and residues determined by GC/FPD. The recoveries and their coefficient of variation were, in general, within the acceptable levels during sample analyses. Residues in papaya and mango were not affected by the position of the fruits in the plant, apparently more or less exposed to the pesticides. Variability factor v, defined as the 97.5th percentile divided by the mean of residues in all samples taken from a field ranged from 2.0 - 2.6. The variability of residues within the plant contributed to about 34 - 61% of the field variability. The results found in this study support the variability factor of 3 adopted by the FAO/WHO for the deterministic estimation of dietary acute intake of pesticides.