Exploring the dynamic behaviors of five pesticides in lettuce: Implications for consumer health through field and modeling experiments.

Lettuce, a globally consumed nutritious vegetable, is often linked to concerns regarding pesticide residues. To address this issue, we conducted field trials and utilized dynamiCROP modeling to examine the uptake, distribution, translocation, and dissipation of five pesticides (λ-cyhalothrin, difenoconazole, acetamiprid, dimethomorph, and β-cypermethrin) commonly detected in lettuce. At harvest, pesticides residues were below the maximum residue limits (MRLs) at 0.05, 0.39, 0.047, 0.72, and 0.072 mg kg−1, respectively. Simulation results elucidated distinct behaviors of the pesticides following application to lettuce foliage across various compartments. However, all pesticides exhibited a common dissipation trend, initially stabilizing or increasing before gradually declining. For all five pesticides, the largest contribution of residues on lettuce leaves came from the leaf surface during the early period after application, and from the soil in the long term. Health risk assessments indicated negligible risks associated with consuming lettuce containing these pesticides, both in the short and long term. [Display omitted] • The dissipation trends of five pesticides were similar in leaf surface, air and soil. • Acetamiprid and λ-cyhalothrin translocated faster from the leaf surface to its interior. • The field trial results aligned well with dynamiCROP model predictions (R2 = 0.59–0.96). • Health risks from consuming pesticide-treated lettuce are negligible for consumers. • Our results shed light on establishing MRLs and practices in pesticide application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]