Eco-toxicological and Nutritional Hazards of Tembotrione: A Multi-Species Evaluation After Long-Term Use

Environmental contamination from herbicide applications for weed control remains a significant concern. This study presents an ecological and dietary risk assessment of tembotrione following its long-term use in maize cultivation, focusing on potential impacts on humans, animals, and aquatic organisms. Residue levels and degradation behavior of tembotrione were monitored in soil, maize plants, and grains at various intervals post-application to estimate exposure risks. The half-life showed a positive correlation with tembotrione persistence in soil, as well as with its water solubility and volatility. Risk Quotient (RQ) values indicated a risk ranging from high to negligible for soil macro-organisms over a 60-day period, with a moderate risk at 90 days. Health Quotient analysis revealed that the risk to animal health from consuming contaminated maize straw varied from high to low. Human dietary exposure posed a relatively low risk. However, aquatic organisms exhibited moderate to high ecological risk. These findings underscore the importance of tembotrione residues and its long-term ecological footprint in agricultural systems.