OBJECTIVETo investigate pesticide abuse on fruits and vegetables in Tianjin Area, to detect pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables, to study the methods for reducing pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables.

METHODS(1) A questionnaire on the pesticide application during growing fruit and vegetable was administered to 185 farmers in Tianjin Area. (2) According to the information from the questionnaire survey, fruit and vegetable samples were collected in four seasons around the year and measured for organophosphorus pesticide residues by gas chromatography. (3) Fruit and vegetable samples contained pesticide residue were treated by scald, immersion in 0.15% and 0.30% detergent solution, immersion in pure water, peeling and cutting root and pesticide residues were measured before and after the treatment.

RESULTSThe percentage of pesticide abuse in growing fruit and vegetable was 65.00% in Tianjin area, and 31.60% of the fruits and vegetable samples collected in summer were positive for high toxic organophosphorus pesticides. Significant decrease of pesticide residue in fruit and vegetable was found by scald, immersion in 0.15% and 0.30% detergent solution, as well as peeling and cutting root, and over 80.00% pesticide residue in the samples could be reduced by scald.

CONCLUSIONSIt is necessary to strengthen pesticide abuse control and market surveillance and inspection, in order to reduce the harmful effects of pesticide residue in fruit and vegetables to human health.