At the request of the Meeting, WHO(GEMS/Food) calculated the predicted intakes of residues on the agenda of the Joint Meeting, based on the methods described in Guidelines for Predicting Dietary Intake of Pesticide Residues (WHO, 1997).
Detailed TMDI (Theoretical Maximum Daily Intake) calculations and, where information was available, IEDI (International Estimated Daily Intake) calculations were performed on those pesticides considered by the JMPR. These calculations were based on the ADIs and MRLs proposed by the Meeting and existing and pending MRLs in the Codex system. For IEDI calculations. Supervised Trials Median Residue (STMR) levels were available for newly evaluated pesticides and for some pesticide/commodity combinations for previously considered pesticides. In a few cases, processing data was also available to refine the exposure assessment calculations. Dietary intakes were not estimated for amitrole and fipronil because no MRLs exist or have been proposed.
For the following compounds, the TMDI and/or IEDI did not exceed the ADI:
abamectin, amitrole, AMPA, bifenthrin, captan, carbofuran, carbosulfan, chlormequat, chlorothalonil, clethodim, fenbuconazole, folpet, glyphosate, malathion, methamidophos, mevinphos, mycobutanil, phosalone phosmet, tebuconzole, tebufenozide, thiabendazole and triforine.
The TMDI exceeded the ADI for lindane and fenamiphos, but information on STMRs and processing factors was not available to calculate the IEDI.
It should be noted that the TMDIs calculated over-estimate the true pesticide residue intake. It should, therefore, not be concluded that the MRLs for lindane and fenamiphos are unacceptable when the TMDI exceeds the ADI. Instead, TMDI calculations may be used as a screening tool and the IEDI should be calculated where data are available to allow refinement of the intake calculation.
References
WHO, 1997. Guidelines for Predicting Dietary Intake of Pesticide Residues, 2nd Revised Edition, Document WHO/FSF/FOS/97.7, World Health Organization, Geneva.
FAO/WHO, 1995. Recommendations for the revision of the guidelines for predicting dietary intake of pesticide residues. Report of a FAO/WHO Consultation, York, United Kingdom, 2-6 May 1995, Document WHO/FNU/FOS/95.11, World Health Organization, Geneva.
FAO/WHO, 1997. Food consumption and exposure assessment to chemicals. Report of a FAO/WHO Consultation, Geneva, 10-14 Febraury 1997, Document WHO/FSF/FOS/97.5, World Health Organization, Geneva.
