Risk assessment of dithiocarbamates after new regulation of maximum residue limits

Conclusion:The chronic dietary risk assessment of dithiocarbamates using the cumulative approach for theEBDCs and propineb shows that the ADI value is utilized only in part. This can be concludedalthough there are some conservative assumptions in the assessment (e.g. using the substance withthe highest correction factor if no better information was available and assuming that the total CS2content in crops results from pesticide applications). A refined calculation on the basis of data fromthe German Food Monitoring Program of pesticides showed that the estimate of the overall intake ofdithiocarbamates was further reduced. Thus, based on the new harmonized European legislation ofMRLs for dithiocarbamates the chronic exposure to dithiocarbamate residues in food is unlikely tocause any unacceptable risk to consumers.