Occurrence and risk exposure assessment of multiple pesticide residues in edible mint in China

In China, the status and risks of pesticide residues in edible mint is essentially unknown. In this study, we evaluated the residual status and associated risks of 208 pesticides in edible mints. Among the 16 pesticide residues detected, there were eight fungicides, six insecticides, and two herbicides, with difenoconazole exhib-iting the highest detection rate of 25.55%. A proportion of 53.28% of the mint samples were detected with at least one pesticide residue. Dietary risk measured as cHQ and aHQ was < 100% and the health risks was acceptable in both adults and children; however, the aHQ in children was comparatively higher than that in the general population. Furthermore, lambda-cyhalothrin, cypermethrin, cyfluthrin, and bifenthrin, had a risk score of 18, which should receive considerable attention. In summary, the present study reveals the residue levels and exposure risks of pesticides and helps recognize the significance of establishing scientific guidance for production and consumption of mint tea.