Pesticide/biocide residues in food and the environment

The production of crops and various natural raw materials cannot yet take place without pesticides. Depending on the target pesticide, we classify them as herbicides, fungicides, insecticides or acaricides, including plant growth regulators and repellents. Unlike persistent pesticides such as DDT and other chlorinated insecticides, which are banned today, the currently approved pesticides are, after appropriate application, gradually degraded or detoxified by plant or microbial enzymes (in soil, water) over time under the influence of various physico-chemical factors (sunlight, rain, etc.). At the time of harvest maturity, after the expiry of the protection period, it can be assumed that the residue levels have reliably fallen below the legislatively established maximum residue limit (MLR) value. With the choice of rapidly degradable pesticides and compliance with the conditions of good agricultural practice (GAP), residues are often either undetectable or very low. On the other hand, not all principles of pesticide application are always followed; residues enter the food chain and health risks related to chronic dietary intake cannot be excluded. These concerns apply when several pesticides (cocktails) are contained in one product. In line with current trends to reduce the exposure of the environment to contaminating substances, efforts to minimize pesticide residues and promote low-residue and organic food production are also increasing. In this context, the study of residue dynamics and the search for alternative and not least effective methods of plant protection naturally play an important role.

The working group focuses on the comprehensive investigation of pesticide residues (including biocides) both from the point of view of their analytical determination and with regard to their (bio)transformation, the quality of the treated crops and the protection of consumers and the environment.

• Determination of pesticide residues and their metabolites in the framework of the monitoring programmes of the SZPI and the EU. GC-MS/MS and LC-MS/MS methods accredited according to ISO17025 are used. Multi-residue methods (MRM) and specific methods for individual pesticides (SRM) are used to analyse food and natural raw materials or commodities, water samples and other environmental components.
  
  
• Evaluation of pesticide residue findings in relation to EU legislation, estimation of exposure risks according to EFSA strategy and suggestions for HACCP optimisation. Evaluation of chemical protection on the quality of treated crops.
  
  
• Establishment of methods for newly authorised pesticides / their metabolites and monitoring of active components of biopreparations with pesticide activity, evaluation of residue dynamics in field trials.
  
  
• Control, monitoring and evaluation of the quality of BIO products, comparison with conventional products and authentication based on evidence of illegal use of pesticides.
  
  
• Investigate the transfer of pesticide residues into the final product or biowaste, assess the impact of different technological processes on residues in the final product and propose remedial measures.