Are consumers over-protected? A world picture of regulations on pesticide MRL in fruits and vegetables

Abstract : The purpose of this paper is to analyze the link between the Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) of pesticides set by national regulations and the level of toxicity of the concerned chemicals. In order to perform this analysis we have first retrieved two databases: the Federal Agricultural Service of the United State Department of Agriculture MRL database and the Quebec Pesticide Risk Indicator (IRPeQ) database managed by the Quebec Ministries of Agriculture, and Environment and the National Institute of Public Health of Quebec which computes a Toxicological Risk Index (IRT) for the active substances authorized on the Canadian territory. We then cross these two databases by computing a health score. This score ranking from low level of health concern to very high level of health concern provides a first overview of the link between IRT and MRL by country. On 96 countries only Switzerland and Iceland are classified in the top ranking of the health score. The European Union, Mexico, Russia and Australia are in the group identified as high level of health concern. The USA and Canada are classified as moderate. Finally, countries which mainly refer to the Codex standards are classified in the bottom ranking of the health score.