Abstract
BackgroundImidacloprid is an active ingredient included in plant protection, biocidal and veterinary medicinal products (VMPs). VMPs containing Imidacloprid are formulated as spot-on products or collars and designed to protect pets, predominantly dogs and cats, from parasite infestation. Monitoring data collected under the Water Framework Directive between 2016 and 2018 showed detectable and varying levels of Imidacloprid in the UK surface water bodies. The aim of the work was to investigate the potential contribution of VMPs by developing a model for predicting the emissions from sewage treatment plants from the use of dog and cat spot-on and collar VMPs. Due to the absence of appropriate exposure models for VMPs, the model was built based on the principles of environmental exposure assessment for biocidal products.ResultsThree emission paths were considered to be the most likely routes for repeated emissions to waterways from the use of spot-on and collar VMPs, i.e., transfer to pet bedding followed by washing, washing/bathing of dogs, and walking dogs in the rain. The developed model was used to calculate the Imidacloprid concentrations in surface water after discharge from wastewater treatment plants. Realistic worst-case input parameters were deduced from sales and survey data and experimental studies. Modelled total concentrations in surface water for each pathway ranged from 0.84 to 4.8 ng/L. The calculated concentrations did not exceed the ecological thresholds for the most sensitive aquatic invertebrate organisms and were found to be much lower than the UK monitoring data for river water. For example, the calculated concentration from the bathing/washing of dogs was < 3% of the highest levels of Imidacloprid measured in surface waters.ConclusionIn conclusion, a model has been successfully built and applied. The modelled data indicate that these VMPs make only a very small contribution to the levels of Imidacloprid observed in the UK water monitoring programme. Further, calculated concentrations do not exceed ecotoxicological threshold values indicating acceptable chronic safety to aquatic organisms.
Highlights
Imidacloprid is an active ingredient included in plant protection, biocidal and veterinary medicinal products (VMPs)
Due to the broad usage of Imidacloprid under different regulations, various emissions to natural surface water bodies can be expected and the substance is included in the first Watch List (WL) of substances of emerging concern [9] for regulation under the Water Framework Directive 2000/60/European Commission (EC) (WFD) [10] and the Environmental Quality Standards Directive (EQSD) [11]
Model development Rationale For the aquatic risk assessment of Imidacloprid containing VMPs, i.e., dog and cat spot-on and collar products, we identified relevant emission routes covering the normal use of the product and developed realistic worstcase emission scenarios to assess the risks for surface water organisms
Summary
Imidacloprid is an active ingredient included in plant protection, biocidal and veterinary medicinal products (VMPs). Anthe et al Environ Sci Eur (2020) 32:147 Products containing this a.s. are used as plant protection products (PPPs), as biocidal products (BPs) and as VMPs (veterinary medicinal products). The a.s. as well as products containing Imidacloprid have been assessed under the respective regulatory frameworks, i.e., Directive 91/414/EEC [3] and Regulation (European Commission, EC) No 1107/2009 [4] for PPPs, Directive 98/8/EC [5] and Regulation (European Union, EU) 528/2012 for BPs [6] and Directive 2001/82/EC [7] as amended by Directive 2004/28/EC [8] for VMPs. Due to the broad usage of Imidacloprid under different regulations, various emissions to natural surface water bodies can be expected and the substance is included in the first Watch List (WL) of substances of emerging concern [9] for regulation under the Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC (WFD) [10] and the Environmental Quality Standards Directive (EQSD) [11]. 56.929703, − 3.254838 0.0073 [2] n.a 55.8523, − 4.24593 0.0019 [2] 0.009 [1]
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