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Neonicotinoid insecticides are among the most used insecticides and their residues are frequently found in surface water due to their persistence and mobility. Neonicotinoid insecticides exhibit toxicity to a wide range of aquatic invertebrates at environmentally relevant levels, and therefore their contamination in surface water is of significant concern. In this study, we investigated the spatiotemporal distribution of six neonicotinoids in a large wetland system, the Prado Wetlands, in Southern California, and further evaluated the wetlands' efficiency at removing these insecticides. Total neonicotinoid concentrations in water ranged from 3.17 to 46.9 ng L-1 at different locations within the wetlands, with imidacloprid and dinotefuran among the most detected. Removal was calculated based on concentrations as well as mass flux. The concentration-based removal values for a shallow pond (vegetation-free), moderately vegetated cells, densely vegetated cells, and the entire wetland train were 16.9%, 34.2%, 90.2%, and 61.3%, respectively. Principal component analysis revealed that pH and temperature were the primary factors affecting neonicotinoids removal. Results from this study demonstrated the ubiquitous presence of neonicotinoids in surface water impacted by urban runoff and wastewater effluent and highlighted the efficiency of wetlands in removing these trace contaminants due to concerted effects of uptake by wetland plants, photolysis, and microbial degradation.

Neonicotinoid insecticides (NNIs) can harm non-target species. This study examines NNIs' distribution, sources, human exposure risks, and ecological risks in the Qiantang River's water and sediment. NNIs concentrations ranged from 8.92 to 88.0 ng/L in water and 0.55 to 16.6 ng/g dw in sediment. The concentrations showed a trend of middle reaches > lower reaches > upper reaches. Agricultural activities were the main NNIs source, followed by wastewater treatment plants. Infants had the highest NNIs intake, with a daily intake of 15.4 ng/kg body weight, about 5.4-times higher than adolescents. Using the species sensitivity distribution and relative potency factor, the acute and chronic toxicity thresholds for aquatic organisms were estimated at HC5 values of 3636 ng/L and 40 ng/L, respectively. Species at lower trophic levels were more sensitive to NNIs. While acute risks to aquatic fauna are low, prolonged exposure poses potential risks to human and ecological health. These findings contribute to the enhancement of the regulatory framework for NNIs and serve as a reference for policymakers in formulating water pollution management strategies, thereby advancing the sustainable development of water resources in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, residues of 10 neonicotinoid insecticides were tested with 143 fresh samples of Oenanthe javanica using the QuEChERS method combined with UPLC-MS/MS. Based on the residue results, the point estimation method was used to assess dietary risks for adults and children, and the cumulative risk was assessed according to the hazard index (HI) and relative potency factor (RPF) methods. The results showed that 71 out of 143 samples of fresh Oenanthe javanica sold in Hainan tested positive for neonicotinoid insecticides, with a detection rate of 49.65%. Six neonicotinoid insecticides were detected and their detection frequencies are as follows: imidacloprid (44.76%), acetamiprid (16.08%), clothianidin (13.29%), dinotefuran (4.90%), thiamethoxam (3.50%) and flonicamid (3.50%). The most frequently co-detected combination was imidacloprid and acetamiprid, with a detection rate of 29.58%. The results of acute and chronic dietary risks showed that all the obtained values of %ADI (acceptable daily intake) and %ARfD (acute reference dose) are far below 100%, so the risks of the six detected neonicotinoid insecticides are acceptable for various population groups. Meanwhile, the results of the cumulative risk showed that all the obtained values of the hazard index and the corrected total exposure concentration are far lower than the health guidelines, indicating that the residue levels of neonicotinoid insecticides in fresh Oenanthe javanica are acceptable. However, it is notable that its acute risk is higher than its chronic risk, and the dietary risk for children is higher than adults. These findings will provide a theoretical basis and objective data for supporting the revision of MRLs for Oenanthe javanica, as well as valuable guidance for the production, consumption, regulation and standardization of Oenanthe javanica sold in Hainan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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In this study, a method for the simultaneous determination of neonicotinoid insecticides and their metabolites in meat was established by the QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, safe) pretreatment method followed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). Samples were extracted with acetonitrile containing 1% acetic acid. After salting-out with 1 g of NaCl and 4 g of anhydrous MgSO4, the supernatant was cleaned-up using C18. The separation of the analytes was carried out on a XSelect HSS T3 (150 mm × 3.0 mm, 2.5 μm) column by gradient elution with a mobile phase composed of 0.1% formic acid and acetonitrile. The analytes were detected by multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) in the positive ion mode and quantified by the matrix-matched external standard method. The results showed that the calibration curves for all analytes had a good linearity with correlation coefficients (r) more than 0.995. The limit of quantitation (LOQ) was 2 μg/kg for 12 target compounds and 20 μg/kg for the two compounds. The recovery rates of the proposed method were in the range of 61.0%–116.7% with relative standard deviations (RSDs) below 14.81%. This method has the merits of simple pretreatment steps and satisfying recovery rates and enables fast and accurate detection of neonicotinoid insecticides and their metabolites in meat.

Copyright of Journal of Food Safety & Quality is the property of Journal of Food Safety & Quality Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This review provides an overview on the fate and behavior of imidacloprid, a neonicotinoid insecticide, in agricultural environments. The study focuses on four key aspects: adsorption and leaching of imidacloprid in soil, degradation and hydrolysis of imidacloprid in soil and water, uptake and persistence of imidacloprid in plants, and volatilization of imidacloprid to the atmosphere. The review presents the latest findings from research on each of these topics. While imidacloprid is highly effective at controlling pests, it is also known to persist in the environment, posing risks to non-target organisms such as bees, birds, and aquatic life. Moreover, there is increasing concern about its potential to accumulate in the soil and water systems, which may have long-term effects on the ecosystem. The review suggests that better understanding of the behavior and fate of imidacloprid in agricultural environments is essential for developing effective strategies to minimize its environmental impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neonicotinoids are ubiquitous in global surface waters and pose a significant risk to aquatic organisms. However, information is lacking on the variations in sensitivity of organisms at different developmental stages to the neurotoxic neonicotinoids. We established a spectrum of toxicity to zebrafish embryos at four neurodevelopmental stages (1, 3, 6, and 8 h post fertilization [hpf]) and dechorionated embryos at 6 hpf based on external and internal exposure to imidacloprid as a representative neonicotinoid. Embryos at the gastrula stage (6 and 8 hpf) were more sensitive to imidacloprid than embryos at earlier developmental stages. Dechorionated embryos were more sensitive to imidacloprid than embryos with a chorion, suggesting that the chorion offers protection against pollutants. Nine sublethal effects were induced by imidacloprid exposure, among which uninflated swim bladder (USB) was the most sensitive. Water depth and air availability in the exposure chambers were critical factors influencing the occurrence of USB in zebrafish larvae. Internal residues of metabolites accounted for <10% of imidacloprid, indicating that imidacloprid was metabolized in a limited fashion in the embryos. In addition, acute toxicity of the main metabolite 5‐hydroxy‐imidacloprid was significantly lower than that of imidacloprid, indicating that the observed toxicity in embryos exposed to imidacloprid was mainly induced by the parent compound. Our research offers a fresh perspective on choosing the initial exposure time in zebrafish embryo toxicity tests, particularly for neurotoxicants. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:2398–2408. © 2024 SETAC [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Currently, although there have been a few reports on the endocrine-disrupting effects of neonicotinoids, the effect on Chironomidae during long-term exposure remains unknown. Methods: Ecdysis and sex ratio, along with ecdysone-relevant gene expressions of representative neonicotinoid dinotefuran on Chironomus kiinensis were investigated at different environmental concentrations by long-term exposure. Results: A low dose of dinotefuran delayed pupation and emergence via inhibiting ecdysis. Sex ratios of adults shifted toward male-dominated populations with the concentration of dinotefuran increasing. The corresponding transcriptions of ecdysis genes ecr, usp, E74, and hsp70 were significantly downregulated in the midge. For estrogen effects, the vtg gene expression was upregulated, but there was no significant change for the err gene. Discussion: These results would improve our understanding of the endocrinedisrupting mechanisms of neonicotinoid insecticides to Chironomidae and provide data support for assessing their potential environmental risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extensive application of neonicotinoid insecticides (NNIs) has resulted in its worldwide detection in waters, leading to risks to human health and ecology safety. Presently, various remediation techniques for NNIs have been developed. However, the critical reviews concerning the remediation approaches for the elimination of NNIs from water are limited. Considering tremendous efforts have been made in the research topic of NNIs removal recently, this study systematacially reviewed the current advances on NNIs remediation approaches, including adsorption, Fenton, ozonation, photodegradation, sulfate radicals based-advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), electrochemical AOPs, percarbonate-based AOPs, periodate-based AOPs, microbial remediation, and phytoremediation. Moreover, NNIs removal by these methods have been critically discussed, compared, and analyzed. Furthermore, mechanisms of different treatment processes have been summarized in detail. Finally, the challenges and perspectives have been proposed. This study highlights the current progresses on NNIs removal technologies and proposes the future research needs in this area, which will provide support to further researches to halt the NNIs contamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global insecticide market is undergoing significant changes, witnessing a surge in neonicotinoids (NEOs) usage, alongside the persistent application of traditional insecticides, such as organophosphates (OPs), carbamates (CMs) and pyrethroids (PYRs). In this study, therefore, NEOs, OPs, PYRs and CMs were measured in various pomelo tissues and paired soil and leaf samples collected from two pomelo orchards in South China. NEOs exhibited a higher median sum residue in pulp (ΣNEOs: 1.90 ng/g) than traditional insecticides (ΣOPs: 1.69 ng/g, ΣCMs: 0.49 ng/g, and ΣPYRs: 0.33 ng/g). Principal component analysis indicated that NEO residues in pulp was primarily originated from deep soil. Moreover, the migration pathway of NEOs potentially extends from the deep soil to the plant's root system, then travels through the carpopodium to access the pulp, whereas traditional insecticides adhere to a migration pathway that progresses from the epicarp to the pulp. Tissue-specific distribution analysis revealed that NEOs exhibit an enhanced propensity for accumulation in the pulp. In contrast, traditional insecticides display a preference for accumulating in seeds and endocarp. This study first to delineate distinction in residue, migration, tissue-specific distribution between NEOs and traditional insecticides, heightened emphasis is warranted on NEOs and their metabolites within the ambit of the “One-Health” framework.

Background: Neonicotinoid insecticides (NNIs) were reported to be endocrine disruptors and cause adverse health effects in human. However, epidemiological evidence about the effect of prenatal NNIs exposure on birth outcome and hormones remains limited. Objectives: This study aimed to explore the effects of prenatal NNIs exposure on neonatal birth size and endocrine hormones, and assess the potential mediating role of hormones. Methods: The study included 860 mother–child pairs from the Sheyang Mini Birth Cohort Study. 12 parent NNIs (p-NNIs) and 6 metabolites of NNIs (m-NNIs) were measured in maternal urine samples collected on their delivery days, and 5 thyroid hormones and 2 sex hormones were analyzed in cord serum. The concentrations of p-NNIs and its specific metabolite(s) were summed to characterize the role of each class of NNIs. Generalized linear model and weighted quantile sum regression were used to examine the impact of prenatal NNIs exposure on birth size and endocrine hormones, and potential mediating roles of hormones were further explored using mediation analysis. Results: Higher detection frequencies of m-NNIs were observed than those in p-NNIs. A decrease in neonatal head circumference for gestation age z-score was associated with a 10-fold increase in 5-OH-IMI (β = -0.15, 95 %CI: −0.26, −0.03), ∑DIN (β = -0.22, 95 %CI: −0.40, −0.03), ∑IMI (β = -0.20, 95 %CI: −0.35, −0.06) and ∑NNIs (β = -0.23, 95 %CI: −0.42, −0.04). ∑IMI and ∑DIN were the major contributors to the significantly negative mixture effect and no sex-specific effect was observed. Negative associations were observed between ∑DIN and TT3 (β = -0.013, 95 %CI: −0.025, −0.002), ∑IMI and T (β = -0.035, 95 %CI: −0.065, −0.004), respectively. Furthermore, TT3 and T demonstrated 6.7 % and 6.1 % mediating effects on the negative association of prenatal ∑DIN and ∑IMI exposure with head circumference. Conclusions: Our findings suggested the potential endocrine disruptive properties of NNIs and their impacts on head circumference. Endocrine hormones may partly mediate these associations.

IntroductionDinotefuran as the third-generation of neonicotinoid insecticides is extensively used in agriculture worldwide, posing a potential toxic threat to non-target animals and humans. However, the chronic toxicity mechanism related to mitochondria damage of dinotefuran to non-target animals at environmental concentration is unclear.MethodsIn this study, the mitochondria damage and oxidative stress of dinotefuran on Chironomus kiiensis were investigated at environmental concentrations by long-term exposure. At the same time, relevant gene expressions of these toxicity indexes were measured as sensitive ecotoxicity biomarkers to reflect the toxic effects of dinotefuran on Chironomidae.ResultsOur present study showed that chronic exposure to environmental concentrations of dinotefuran resulted in behavioral inhibition in the larvae of Chironomidae. For burrowing inhibition of 10 days, the lowest observed-effect concentration (LOEC) and 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) were 0.01 (0.01–0.04) and 0.60 (0.44–0.82) μg/L, respectively. Dinotefuran promoted the release of intracellular calcium ions (Ca2+) in Chironomidae via dysregulating the gene expressions of atp2b, camk ii, and calm. Subsequently, the disruption of the Ca2+ signaling pathway induced oxidative stress by raising reactive oxygen species (ROS), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and malonaldehyde (MDA) levels. Thus, the over-release of Ca2+ and ROS disordered the normal functioning of mitochondrial-related pathways by dysregulating the expressions of mitochondria-related genes of atpef0a, sdha, and cyt b.ConclusionOur findings showed that low environmental concentrations of dinotefuran caused paralysis of the midge via interfering the Ca2+–ROS–mitochondria pathway. These results provided data support for assessing the potential environmental risk of dinotefuran.

Neonicotinoid insecticides (NEOs) have been extensively approved for application in agricultural production both in China and globally. Previous studies indicated that human exposure to NEOs would have adverse health effects. However, studies on occurrences of NEOs in kidney injury patients and their association with nephrotoxicity are limited. This study investigates the potential correlation between exposure to NEOs and kidney injury within a subset (n = 224) of the population residing in South China. Levels of 8 NEOs and 5 metabolites were quantified in blood samples obtained from both the 110 healthy and 114 kidney injury cohorts in South China. We found that target analytes were frequently detected in samples from the healthy and kidney injury cohorts (61%–100 %). Dinotefuran is the predominant NEO in the healthy (42.3 %) and kidney injury cohort (49.6 %). Significantly positive (p

In this study, residues of 10 neonicotinoid insecticides were tested with 143 fresh samples of Oenanthe javanica using the QuEChERS method combined with UPLC-MS/MS. Based on the residue results, the point estimation method was used to assess dietary risks for adults and children, and the cumulative risk was assessed according to the hazard index (HI) and relative potency factor (RPF) methods. The results showed that 71 out of 143 samples of fresh Oenanthe javanica sold in Hainan tested positive for neonicotinoid insecticides, with a detection rate of 49.65%. Six neonicotinoid insecticides were detected and their detection frequencies are as follows: imidacloprid (44.76%), acetamiprid (16.08%), clothianidin (13.29%), dinotefuran (4.90%), thiamethoxam (3.50%) and flonicamid (3.50%). The most frequently co-detected combination was imidacloprid and acetamiprid, with a detection rate of 29.58%. The results of acute and chronic dietary risks showed that all the obtained values of %ADI (acceptable daily intake) and %ARfD (acute reference dose) are far below 100%, so the risks of the six detected neonicotinoid insecticides are acceptable for various population groups. Meanwhile, the results of the cumulative risk showed that all the obtained values of the hazard index and the corrected total exposure concentration are far lower than the health guidelines, indicating that the residue levels of neonicotinoid insecticides in fresh Oenanthe javanica are acceptable. However, it is notable that its acute risk is higher than its chronic risk, and the dietary risk for children is higher than adults. These findings will provide a theoretical basis and objective data for supporting the revision of MRLs for Oenanthe javanica, as well as valuable guidance for the production, consumption, regulation and standardization of Oenanthe javanica sold in Hainan.

Pesticide exposure patterns tested in laboratory bioassays often do not match real-world pesticide exposure profiles in edge-of-field waterbodies. Toxicokinetic–toxicodynamic (TKTD) models are therefore increasingly used, as they allow for predictions of the toxic effects under actual time-variable field exposures. The TKTD models from the General Unified Threshold models of Survival (GUTS), for example, are considered ready for use by regulators for calculating the survival rates for any time-variable exposure profile. However, questions remain regarding their predictive power for compounds showing increased toxicity over time, such as neonicotinoid insecticides. The aim of the present study was therefore to compare the GUTS-predicted 28 d toxicity values of three neonicotinoids (imidacloprid, clothianidin, and thiamethoxam) for the common New Zealand mayfly genus Deleatidium spp. with those observed in a previously published study. Overall, the GUTS modeling results underestimated the toxicity values derived experimentally. From the three neonicotinoids, clothianidin showed the best fit between the estimated and observed 28 d LC50 (median-lethal-concentration) values. Shortcomings of the modeling exercise, future research needs, and implications for the application of GUTS models in regulatory risk assessment are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Food Safety & Quality is the property of Journal of Food Safety & Quality Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Recent advances in the microbial degradation of persistent organic pollutants have the potential to mitigate the damage caused by anthropogenic activities that are harmfully impacting agriculture soil ecosystems and human health. In this paper, we summarize the pollution characteristics of neonicotinoid insecticides (NNIs) in agricultural fields in China and other countries and then discuss the existing research on screening for NNI-degrading functional bacterial strains, their degradation processes, the construction of microbial consortia, and strategies for their application. We explore the current needs and solutions for improving the microbial remediation rate of NNI-contaminated soil and how these solutions are being developed and applied. We highlight several scientific and technological advances in soil microbiome engineering, including the construction of microbial consortia with a broad spectrum of NNI degradation and microbial immobilization to improve competition with indigenous microorganisms through the provision of a microenvironment and niche suitable for NNI-degrading bacteria. This paper highlights the need for an interdisciplinary approach to improving the degradation capacity and in situ survival of NNI-degrading strains/microbial consortia to facilitate the remediation of NNI-contaminated soil using strains with a broad spectrum and high efficiency in NNI degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent advances in the microbial degradation of persistent organic pollutants have the potential to mitigate the damage caused by anthropogenic activities that are harmfully impacting agriculture soil ecosystems and human health. In this paper, we summarize the pollution characteristics of neonicotinoid insecticides (NNIs) in agricultural fields in China and other countries and then discuss the existing research on screening for NNI-degrading functional bacterial strains, their degradation processes, the construction of microbial consortia, and strategies for their application. We explore the current needs and solutions for improving the microbial remediation rate of NNI-contaminated soil and how these solutions are being developed and applied. We highlight several scientific and technological advances in soil microbiome engineering, including the construction of microbial consortia with a broad spectrum of NNI degradation and microbial immobilization to improve competition with indigenous microorganisms through the provision of a microenvironment and niche suitable for NNI-degrading bacteria. This paper highlights the need for an interdisciplinary approach to improving the degradation capacity and in situ survival of NNI-degrading strains/microbial consortia to facilitate the remediation of NNI-contaminated soil using strains with a broad spectrum and high efficiency in NNI degradation.

Evidence of the joint association between exposure to multiple environmental chemicals and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is scarce. In this study, 281 participants from Zhuhai, China (138 patients with NAFLD vs. 143 healthy participants) were recruited to explore the associations of 40 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), 11 neonicotinoid insecticides (NEOs), and 8 benzotriazoles (BTRs) and benzothiazoles (BTHs) with the risk of NAFLD. Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and its emerging alternatives (6:2 chlorinated polyfluorinated ether sulfonate [6:2 Cl-PFESA] and 8:2 fluorotelomer sulfonic acid [8:2 FTSA]), NEO metabolites (m-NEOs), BTR, and BTH were the predominant PFAS, NEOs, BTRs and BTHs, respectively. The total median concentrations of PFAS (20.4 ng/mL vs. 7.16 ng/mL) and NEOs (7.24 ng/mL vs. 6.23 ng/mL) in NAFLD group were significantly higher than those in healthy group. Sex differences in PFAS exposure have been observed among patients with NAFLD. 8:2 FTSA and short-chain PFAS were more predominant in female patients with NAFLD, whereas other emerging (i.e., 6:2 and 8:2 Cl-PFESA) and legacy PFAS (i.e., PFOS and long-chain perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids) easily accumulated in male patients with NAFLD. The results of the multiple linear regression analysis indicated a significant positive association between PFOS and alanine transaminase (ALT) in serum samples from patients with NAFLD (β = 23.2, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 7.82, 38.5). Conversely, negative correlations were observed between 5-hydroxy-imidacloprid (5-OH-IMI) and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) (β = −2.73, 95% CI: −5.29, −0.18), as well as between tolyltriazole (TTR) and total bilirubin (TBIL) (β = −0.70, 95% CI: −1.33, −0.08) and direct bilirubin (DBIL) (β = −0.59, 95% CI: −0.98, −0.20). The Bayesian kernel machine regression model revealed a positive joint effect of exposure to PFAS and NEO on elevated NAFLD outcomes, suggesting that exposure to PFAS and NEO might exacerbate the severity of NAFLD. This study fills the knowledge gap between multi-pollutant exposure and NAFLD risk.

The aim of this study was to investigate the photolytic and photocatalytic degradation of neonicotinoids in an aqueous solution. Acetamiprid (ACE) and thiacloprid (TIA), two widely used insecticides, were used as model components. Experiments were performed in a flat-plate photoreactor under conditions of recirculation of the reaction mixture over an immobilised photocatalyst layer (TiO2 modified by urea) using two artificial lamps for simulation of solar irradiation (2.4 % UVB and 12 % UVA; 300–700 nm). The catalyst used was characterised by XRD, UV/Vis-DRS, BET, SEM/EDX, and CHNS analysis. All experiments were performed at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, at a recirculation flow rate of 200 cm3 min–1, and at an initial concentration of ACE and TIA of 10 mg dm–3. For most measurements, the reaction mixture was sonicated for 15 min immediately before charging the reactor. The study focused on the influence of the pH of the initial solution on the efficiency of photocatalytic and photolytic degradation. It was found that photocatalytic degradation of the two model components was most effective under acidic operating conditions, i.e., at pH 4.5, while photolysis resulted in their minimum degradation. It was also observed that pretreatment of the reaction mixture with ultrasound promoted photocatalytic degradation, while in the case of photolytic degradation, the application of ultrasound did not contribute to better degradation. Finally, photocatalytic degradation of TIA proved to be more successful than photodegradation of ACE (66.4 % vs. 25.8 %) under identical process conditions.

Neonicotinoids, systemic insecticides that are distributed into all plant tissues and protect against pests, have become a common part of crop production, but can unintentionally also affect non-target organisms, including pollinators. Such effects can be direct effects from insecticide exposure, but neonicotinoids can affect plant physiology, and effects could therefore also be indirectly mediated by changes in plant phenology, attractiveness and nutritional value. Under controlled greenhouse conditions, we tested if seed treatment with the neonicotinoid clothianidin affected oilseed rape's production of flower resources for bees and the content of the secondary plant products glucosinolates that provide defense against herbivores. Additionally, we tested if seed treatment affected the attractiveness of oilseed rape to flower visiting bumblebees, using outdoor mesocosms. Flowers and leaves of clothianidin-treated plants had different profiles of glucosinolates compared with untreated plants. Bumblebees in mesocosms foraged slightly more on untreated plants. Neither flower timing, flower size nor the production of pollen and nectar differed between treatments, and therefore cannot explain any preference for untreated oilseed rape. We instead propose that this small but significant preference for untreated plants was related to the altered glucosinolate profile caused by clothianidin. Thereby, this study contributes to the understanding of the complex relationships between neonicotinoid-treated crops and pollinator foraging choices, by suggesting a potential mechanistic link by which insecticide treatment can affect insect behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundNeonicotinoid insecticides (NEOs) are emerging synthetic insecticides that have been used in various pest management regimens worldwide as alternatives to conventional insecticides. Recently, several studies have indicated that humans are widely exposed to NEOs, but limited is known about the levels and associated health risks of NEOs exposure among children.ObjectiveTo estimate exposure levels of four kinds of NEOs in urine samples among 5-year-old children from Laizhou Wan, Shandong Province, and to evaluate health risks of single and cumulative exposure to NEOs among children in this area.MethodsA total of 205 children who participated in the 5-year-old follow-up in Laizhou Wan Birth Cohort (LWBC) were included. Urinary concentrations of four NEOs [imidacloprid (IMI), acetamiprid (ACE), clothianidin (CLO), and thiamethoxam (THM)] were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry. Based on the detected NEOs concentrations, estimated daily intake (EDI) was calculated, and the health risk of exposure to single NEO was assessed using hazard quotient (HQ, risk threshold=1). A relative potency factor (RPF) approach was used to standardize the concentrations of the four NEOs by IMI to calculate their cumulative concentrations. Then, the health risk of cumulative exposure to the four NEOs was further evaluated based on the HQ method.ResultsThe detection rates of the four NEOs in the 5-year-old children were all above 90%, and their median creatinine-adjusted urinary concentrations were in the order from high to low as follows: CLO (1.373 μg·g−1) > THM (0.628 μg·g−1) > IMI (0.310 μg·g−1) > ACE (0.073 μg·g−1). Of the four NEOs, the median EDI of IMI was 0.035 µg·kg−1·d−1, higher than those of CLO (0.032 µg·kg−1·d−1), THM (0.012 µg·kg−1·d−1), and ACE (0.002 µg·kg−1·d−1). The maximum HQ values of IMI, CLO, THM, and ACE were 0.168, 0.152, 0.055, and 0.022, respectively, which were all far lower than the risk threshold of 1. The median concentration of cumulative exposure to the four NEOs standardized by IMI was 21.241 μg·g−1, and its median EDI was 2.370 µg·kg−1·d−1. The maximum HQ of cumulative exposure to the four NEOs was only 0.694, which also did not exceed the risk threshold of 1.ConclusionNEOs exposure is common among the 5-year-old children in Laizhou Wan, Shandong. Although there is no obvious health risk associated with single and cumulative exposure to NEOs in the children in this area, their exposure levels of NEOs are higher than those in some foreign areas. The adverse health effects of long-term exposure to low dose of NEOs deserve our extensive attention.

Copyright of Kemija u Industriji is the property of Croatian Society of Chemical Engineers and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Aminated multi walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs-NH2) were synthesized by micro wave method, characterized by SEM, FTTR, XRD, XI〉S and BET, and applied as sorbents for the sorption removal of five neonicotinoid insecticides (NNIs, including imidacloprid, acetamiprid, clothianidin, thiamethoxam and nitenpyram) in aqueous solution. The experimental results showed that when 10.0 mg CNTs-NH4 was added to a 100 mL solution with 0.5 mg/L NNIs, the removal rates of the five NNTs could all exceed 70%. The pH of the solution and the anions coexisting in water (Cl-, SO4, HCO) have little effect on the sorption effect of NNTs. The sorption kinetic process of CNTs-NH2 for NNTs conformed to the quasi-second-ord er kinetic model, and the sorption equilibrium could be reached within 1 20 minutes. Compared with the Frendlich model, the sorption isotherm of NNTs on CNTs-NHv was more consistent with the Langmuir model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to develop a new rotating photocatalytic reactor operating in recirculation mode with light sources placed outside the photoreactor vessel. The photoreactor with cylindrical geometry was equipped with four artificial lamps used to simulate solar irradiation (2.4% UVB and 12% UVA; 300–700 nm). The photocatalyst was immobilized on abrasive material used as a support and placed on the central (inner) photoreactor tube, which was connected to a power-driven shaft that allowed rotation at a desired speed. A suitable modification of the commercial TiO2 P25 photocatalyst was carried out to reduce its band gap energy and electron-hole recombination and to extend the visible light response range of TiO2. The main task of this research was to apply the basic principles of process intensification methodology, i.e. to explore the influence of rotational hydrodynamics, which allows good access of reactants to the photocatalyst surface, good irradiation of the photocatalytic surface and reduction of mass transfer resistance, leading to increased process efficiency. The homemade photoreactor was used for the photocatalytic degradation of one of the major types of neonicotinoid insecticides, acetamiprid. The influence of various working conditions, such as initial solution pH, rotation speed, recirculation flow rate and initial concentration of acetamiprid on the photocatalytic degradation process was investigated. The optimum degradation conditions were found at a recirculation flow rate of 200 cm3 min−1 and a rotation speed of 200 rpm, indicating that the mass transfer process strongly contributes to the photocatalytic degradation rate at the conditions used in this study. The results obtained during the photocatalytic degradation of acetamiprid in a rotating photoreactor were compared with those obtained under similar operating conditions in a flat-plate photoreactor, and the corresponding conclusions were drawn based on the performed kinetic analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studying the effects of neonicotinoids on non-target organisms is still an urgent task in today's world, where they are used in substantial quantities. Initially, it is interesting to find out the change in easy-to-detect parameters under insecticide exposure conditions that may indicate some exposure. Therefore, we investigated the parameters of oxidative changes (SOD, CAT, MDA, and total protein) in sexually mature marsh frogs caused by exposure to imidacloprid. Thirty frogs were selected for the experiment and divided into five groups of six individuals each. The exposure concentrations of imidacloprid were 10 µg/L and 100 µg/L. The duration of insecticide exposure was 7 and 21 days. After the finish of the experiment, the liver, kidney, and blood were taken from the animals under anesthesia. It was found that after 7 days of exposure, the group exposed to 100 µg/L imidacloprid solution had lower serum total protein than the control and 10 µg/L exposure groups (p<0.05). Also, after 21 days of imidacloprid exposure at a concentration of 100 µg/L, there was an increase in the SOD value in the frog liver compared to the control group (p<0.05). No significant differences were found in other parameters (p>0.05). The findings cast doubt on the unconditional use of common oxidative stress indices in adult marsh frogs as biomarkers of low-dose imidacloprid exposure. The obtained results for the adult marsh frog may support the possibility of using the liver SOD level only as a biomarker of imidacloprid exposure at environmentally significant concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the most extensively used insecticides worldwide, neonicotinoid insecticides (NNIs) have received a growing global concern over their adverse health effects. This study aimed to assess the associations of urinary concentrations of NNIs in early pregnancy with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and the mediation roles of oxidative DNA damage, RNA damage, and lipid peroxidation in the associations. With a prospective nested case-control study, 519 GDM cases and 519 controls were matched on the infant’s sex and maternal age. Urinary biomarkers of NNIs exposure and oxidative stress were measured in early pregnancy. We estimated the associations of single and the mixture of NNIs and their metabolites with GDM by conditional logistic regression and quantile g-computation models, respectively. The mediating roles of oxidative stress were evaluated by the structural equation model. The odds of GDM significantly increased by 15 %, 18 %, 26 %, 42 %, 49 %, and 13 % in each unit increment of ln-transformed concentrations of urinary imidacloprid (IMI), imidacloprid-olefin (IMI-olefin), desnitro-imidacloprid (DN-IMI), thiamethoxam (THM), clothianidin, and desmethyl-clothianidin, respectively. Exposure to the mixture of NNIs was associated with increased odds of GDM (adjusted OR: 1.76; 95 %CI: 1.45, 2.13). Advanced maternal age enhanced the associations of 5-hydroxy-IMI, DN-IMI, and IMI-olefin with GDM (P

Honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) are affected by different biotic and abiotic stressors, such as the fungus Nosema ceranae and neonicotinoid insecticides, that negatively impact their health. However, most studies so far conducted have focused on the effect of these stressors separately and in European honey bees. Therefore, this study was conducted to analyze the impact of both stressors, singly and in combination, on honey bees of African descent that have demonstrated resistance to parasites and pesticides. Africanized honey bees (AHBs, Apis mellifera scutellata Lepeletier) were inoculated with N. ceranae (1 × 105 spores/bee) and/or chronically exposed for 18 days to a sublethal dose of thiamethoxam (0.025 ng/bee) to evaluate their single and combined effects on food consumption, survivorship, N. ceranae infection, and immunity at the cellular and humoral levels. No significant effects by any of the stressors were found for food consumption. However, thiamethoxam was the main stressor associated to a significant decrease in AHB survivorship, whereas N. ceranae was the main stressor affecting their humoral immune response by upregulating the expression of the gene AmHym-1. Additionally, both stressors, separately and combined, significantly decreased the concentration of haemocytes in the haemolymph of the bees. These findings indicate that N. ceranae and thiamethoxam differentially affect the lifespan and immunity of AHBs and do not seem to have synergistic effects when AHBs are simultaneously exposed to both stressors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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• Thirty-three TPs of neonicotinoids were identified and detected in MWWTPs. • Over half of neonicotinoids and their TPs exhibited high persistence and mobility. • Two neonicotinoids exceeded their ecological quality reference values in effluents. • Twelve TPs had a higher regulatory priority than the corresponding neonicotinoids. Neonicotinoid insecticides (NEOs) are frequently used for urban landscape management and vector control, and undergo various transformation processes when release into urban environments. The discharges of NEOs and their transformation products (TPs) from urban sewer networks may pose serious threats to freshwater ecosystem integrity. However, TPs of NEOs present in municipal wastewater treatment plants (MWWTPs) and their associated risks to aquatic organisms are largely unknown. Here, we investigate NEOs and their TPs in 28 MWWTPs of six Chinese cities. Eleven NEOs and 33 TPs were identified, and 17 TPs were firstly detected in environmental medium. Considerable concentrations of NEOs and their TPs (17.0–1543 ng/L) were measured in the effluents, and two NEOs exceeded the ecological quality reference values in 32.1 % (for clothianidin) and 78.6 % (for imidacloprid) of the effluents. Simultaneously, 12 TPs had a higher regulatory priority than the corresponding NEOs in at least one aquatic organism using a toxicological priority index. Furthermore, 79.5 % of NEOs and their TPs exhibited high persistence and mobility, and thus these compounds could readily spread over long distances in aquatic environment. This study highlights that the input of NEOs and their TPs from treated wastewater into aquatic ecosystem should be regulated to mitigate the ecological risks. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neonicotinoids (NEOs), despite their widespread use as insecticides, exhibit a notable knowledge deficit in regards to their presence in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and their surrounding environments. This study delves into the presence and disposition of 5 NEOs: Thiamethoxam (THM), Clothianidin (CLO), Imidacloprid (IMD), Acetamiprid (ACE), and Thiacloprid (THA) across 3 domestic WWTPs and their receiving waters. Notably, THM, CLO, and ACE were consistently detected in all water and sludge samples, with THM emerging as the most abundant compound in both influent and effluent. Among the 3 WWTPs, WWTP 2, employing a fine bubble oxidation process, achieved the highest removal efficiency, surpassing 68%, in contrast to WWTP 1 (CAST) at 37% and WWTP 3 (A/A/O) at 7%. Biodegradation played a pivotal role in NEO removal, accounting for 36.7% and 68.2% of the total removal in WWTP 1 and WWTP 2, respectively. Surprisingly, in WWTP 3, biotransformation process inadvertently increased ACE and CLO concentrations by approximately 4.1% and 4.5%, respectively. The total NEO concentration in the receiving surface waters ranged from 72.7 to 155.5 ng/L, while sediment concentrations were significantly lower, spanning between 0.10 and 1.53 ng/g. WWTPs serve as both a removal and concentration point for NEOs, thereby significantly influencing their transportation. Additionally, the concentration of most NEOs in the receiving waters progressively increased from upstream to downstream, highlighting the substantial impact of WWTP discharges on natural water environments. This research offers valuable insights into NEO pollution surrounding WWTPs in the Pearl River Delta, ultimately aiding in pollution control and environmental protection decisions. • Neonicotinoids levels in water surpass those in sediments. • THM always was the richest neonicotinoid in dewatered sludge. • This study provides the first comparison of neonicotinoid removal in 3 WWTPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a green analytical method was established for the simultaneous extraction and detection of 20 analytes–10 neonicotinoid insecticides and their 10 major toxic metabolites in edible herbs. QuEChERS and LC-MS/MS were used to analyze the 20 analytes in five edible herbs. The residues of the 20 neonicotinoid insecticides and their metabolites in 109 herbal samples were detected, of which 90 samples were positive, and the residue of total neonicotinoid insecticides ranged from 0.26 to 139.28 μg/kg. Acetamiprid (77.06 %, ≤85.95 μg/kg), imidacloprid (67.89 %, ≤32.49 μg/kg) and their metabolites (N-desmethyl-acetamiprid (44.04 %, ≤18.42 μg/kg) and desnitro imidacloprid (48.62 %, ≤16.55 μg/kg) were most frequently detected in herbs. Significant positive correlations were found between imidacloprid/acetamiprid and their metabolites in Lycii fructus and Citri reticulatae pericarpium. Therefore, more attention may be given to the neonicotinoid insecticide residues in edible herbs in the future.