Dissipation Behavior and Acute Dietary Risk Assessment of Thiamethoxam and Its Metabolite Clothianidin on Spinach

Thiamethoxam and its metabolite clothianidin residues pose a potential threat to human health. This study aims to investigate the residue behavior and acute dietary risk assessment of thiamethoxam and clothianidin on spinach. Thiamethoxam and clothianidin were extracted using a quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, safe (QuEChERS) method and analyzed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). At spike levels from 0.01 to 5 mg kg⁻¹, the average recoveries of both analytes were in the range of 94.5–105.5%, with relative standard deviations (RSDs) of 3.8–10.9%. The dissipation behavior of thiamethoxam followed first-order kinetics, with half-lives of ≤1.6 days. Clothianidin appeared readily as a plant metabolite with highest level exhibited during 3 to 5 days after application. Temperature and light may be two main factors for degradation of thiamethoxam. Besides, acute risk assessment of thiamethoxam and clothianidin was evaluated with risk quotients (RQs) <100%, which suggested a low health risk for all consumer groups of Chinese residents.