OBJECTIVETo investigate the levels of organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs) in animal foods and to assess the diet exposure risk of OPPs to Chinese population.

METHODS115 samples, including pork, beef, mutton, chicken, fish, eggs, and milk were collected from 13 provinces in China, were analyzed by dual gas chromatography-dual pulsed flame photometry (GC-PFPD) for the contamination of 58 organophosphorus pesticide residues including their metabolites. The cumulative exposure assessment and high-end exposure assessment were used to assess the diet exposure risk of OPPs to Chineses population.

RESULTSThe contamination levels of OPPs in animal foods were in the range of not detected (ND)-0.343 mg/kg, and the total detection rate was 37.4% (43/115). OPPs were frequently detected in samples of milk, fish and pork compared with other animal foods with the detection rate of 12/19, 9/16 and 7/16, respectively. The cumulative exposure amount of 10 OPPs to Chinese population was 0.12 µg×kg(-1)·d(-1), which accounted for 7.29% of the ADI.

CONCLUSIONThe residue levels of OPPs were low in animal food in the surveyed areas in China with some banned individual OPPs, such as methamidophos and monocrotophos, were detected. The dietary exposure risk of OPPs raised by the intake of animal foods in surveyed areas of China was low.