| Abstract:[Abstract]Objective?To establish a multi-dimensional risk grading system based on large-scale testing data of sulfur dioxide residues in traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs), and to accurately identify high-risk varieties, thereby providing data support and technical basis for targeted supervision of TCM quality safety.?Methods?A total of 1089 batches of TCMs and decoction pieces were analyzed for sulfur dioxide residues. Data processing and statistical analysis were performed using R 4.4.2 software (packages including readxl, ggplot2, etc.). Descriptive statistics and dietary exposure assessment were conducted. For each variety, the exceedance rate, average exposure level, average exceedance multiple, and coefficient of variation were calculated. The CRITIC method was used to objectively determine indicator weights, and a comprehensive risk index was calculated for risk grading. The SRI index (residue level × exceedance frequency × batch weight) was constructed to quantify risk burden, and hierarchical clustering was employed to validate the rationality of grading.?Results?The overall exceedance rate of the 1089 batches was 14.69%, with the rate for decoction pieces (18.2%) significantly higher than that for crude medicinal materials (3.8%) (χ2 test, p<0.001). CRITIC weighting analysis revealed that the coefficient of variation contributed the most (0.3915), followed by the average exceedance multiple (0.2059). The identified high-risk varieties were?Pinelliae Rhizoma,?Angelicae Dahuricae Radix,?Angelicae Pubescentis Radix,?Codonopsis Radix, and?Lilii Bulbus. Exposure assessment indicated that the average hazard index (HI) for all varieties was<0.08, suggesting no immediate health risk.?Conclusion?The multi-dimensional risk assessment model effectively enables the risk grading of sulfur dioxide residues in TCMs and accurately identifies high-risk varieties. It is recommended that varieties such as?Pinelliae Rhizoma?and?Angelicae Dahuricae Radix?be designated as priority monitoring targets, with strengthened supervision and promotion of sulfur-free processing technologies. |