Phthalates and organophosphorus insecticide residues in shrimp determined by liquid/gas chromatography–Tandem mass spectrometry and a health risk assessment.

Shrimps are the most widely and increasingly cultured crustaceans in land-based ponds in Taiwan. However, few studies have investigated the phthalate contamination of and insecticide residues in shrimp. In this study, we applied a validated method to analyze the phthalate and 18 insecticides residues in shrimp. A total of 46 samples of whiteleg, grass, or giant river shrimp were collected from aquafarms and production areas in Taiwan. We detected 0.02–0.70 mg/kg of di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) in three shrimps; 0.02–0.03 mg/kg of chlorpyrifos in three shrimps, and 0.03 mg/kg of trichlorfon in one shrimp, indicating that 6.52% and 8.70% of the samples contained phthalate and insecticide residues, respectively. Furthermore, the assessed risk was negligible and indicated no immediate health risk associated with shrimp consumption. Continual monitoring of the residues in shrimps is critical for further assessment of possible effects on human health. • Five phthalates and 18 organophosphorus insecticide residues were detected in 42 shrimp samples by using LC-MS/MS and GC–MS/MS. • Overall, 6.52% (3/46) and 8.70% (4/46) of samples contained DEHP residues at 0.45–0.70 mg/kg and organophosphorus insecticide (chlorpyrifos and trichlorfon) residues at 0.02–0.03 mg/kg. • For Taiwanese men and women, the EDI is <0.1% of the TDI for DEHP residues and ADI for OCP residues. • Collectively, there is no immediate health risk associated with shrimp consumption in Taiwan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]