Environmental Risk Assessment Research Articles

Environmental health risk assessment in Chile: Strengths and limitations

Environmental health risk assessment in Chile: Strengths and limitations

Occurrence of pharmaceutical residues in drinking water: a systematic review.

The aim of the present paper was to give a complete picture on the drinking water contamination by pharmaceutical residues all over the world. For this purpose, a systematic review was carried out for identifying all available research reporting original data resulting by sampling campaign and analysis of "real" drinking water samples to detect pharmaceutical residues. The investigated databases were PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. A total of 124 studies were included; among these, 33 did not find target analytes (all below the limit of detection), while the remaining 91 studies reported the presence for one or more compounds, in concentrations ranging from a few units to a few tens of nanograms. The majority of the studies were performed in Europe and the most represented categories were nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and analgesics. The most common analytical approach used is the preparation and analysis of the samples by solid-phase extraction and chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. The main implications resulting from our review are the need for (a) further studies aimed to allow more accurate environmental, wildlife, and human health risk assessments and (b) developing integrated policies promoting less environmentally persistent drugs, the reduction of pharmaceuticals in livestock breeding, and the update of wastewater and drinking water treatment plants for a better removal of drugs and their metabolites.

Environmental Radiological Impact and Risk Assessment of Natural Radioactivity at the Heap Leach Facility of Tarkwa Goldmine, Ghana: Radiotoxicity and Public Exposure

In this study, a comprehensive investigation was conducted to determine the radioactivity levels of naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORMs) in heap pads/soil and water samples within and around the operational area of Tarkwa Gold Mine in Ghana. Gamma-ray spectrometry was used to determine the activity concentrations of 238U, 232Th, and 40K in heap pads/soil, and 226Ra, 228Th, and 40K in water samples. The average activity concentrations of 226Ra and 228Th in all water samples were below the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended guidelines for drinking water. Similarly, the average activity concentrations of measured radionuclides in heap pads/soil samples taken from depths of 0–20 cm and 20–50 cm were found to be below the worldwide average reported values. The annual effective dose to the public was estimated to be around 0.16 mSv, which is below the recommended limit. The values of the hazard indices are also below the recommended limits, implying that if heap pads/soils are used for building purposes and construction, they will not pose any significant radiation hazard. The results of this study indicate that radiation levels are within the natural background radiation levels reported in the literature and are consistent with findings from similar studies conducted in Ghana.

Environmental risk assessment of earth dams in the construction and operation phases using the modified fuzzy FMEA method

Environmental risk assessment of earth dams in the construction and operation phases using the modified fuzzy FMEA method

Using machine learning to classify the immunosuppressive activity of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), one of the persistent organic pollutants, have immunosuppressive effects. The evaluation of this effect has been the focus of regulatory toxicology. In this investigation, 146 PFASs (immunosuppressive or nonimmunosuppressive) and corresponding concentration gradients were collected from literature, and their structures were characterized by using Dragon descriptors. Feature importance analysis and stepwise feature elimination are used for feature selection. Three machine learning (ML) methods, namely Random Forest (RF), Extreme Gradient Boosting Machine (XGB), and Categorical Boosting Machine (CB), were utilized for model development. The model interpretability was explored by feature importance analysis and correlation analysis. The findings indicated that the three models developed have exhibited excellent performance. Among them, the best-performing RF model has an average AUC score of 0.9720 for the testing set. The results of the feature importance analysis demonstrated that concentration, SpPosA_X, IVDE, R2s, and SIC2 were the crucial molecular features. Applicability domain analysis was also performed to determine reliable prediction boundaries for the model. In conclusion, this study is the first application of ML models to investigate the immunosuppressive activity of PFASs. The variables used in the models can help understand the mechanism of the immunosuppressive activity of PFASs, allow researchers to more effectively assess the immunosuppressive potential of a large number of PFASs, and thus better guide environmental and health risk assessment efforts.

Combination of biotransformation and metabolomics reveals tolfenpyrad-induced hepatocytotoxicity

Tolfenpyrad (TFP) is an extensively used pesticide that inevitably leads to human exposure to both TFP and its transformation product residues. However, the biotransformation of TFP in humans has not been elucidated, and the toxicity of TFP along with its biotransformation products remains largely unknown. In this study, the biotransformation process of TFP was investigated using human liver microsomes and human hepatic cells. Endogenous metabolic changes in the cells were studied to investigate the hepatocytotoxicity of TFP at environmentally relevant concentrations. Fourteen phase I biotransformation products and four phase II TFP products were characterized, among which twelve products were identified for the first time. The oxidative product tolfenpyrad-benzoic acid (PT-CA) was particularly abundant and stable. Further hepatotoxicity assessments and metabolic studies demonstrated comparable metabolic profiles for TFP and PT-CA in HepG2 cells, with both significantly disrupting purine and glutathione metabolism. These processes are closely associated with oxidative stress, mitochondrial damage, and cell death. Our results provide novel perspectives on the biotransformation, metabolism, and hepatotoxicity of TFP, thereby highlighting the non-negligible toxicity of its crucial biotransformation product PT-CA in environmental risk assessments.

Advanced approach combines integrated weight water quality index and potential toxic elements for environmental and health risk assessment supported by simulation technique in Oued Souf, Algeria

The current research study evaluated the health and environmental risks issues associated with potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in the complex terminal aquifer located in the Algerian desert. The methods used included principal component and cluster (dendrogram) analysis to estimate source of ions and contamination. Various indices such as the Heavy Metal Pollution Index (HPI), Metal Index, hazard quotient, hazard index (HI), and cancer risk (CR) were applied to assess both environmental and human health risks. Furthermore, the Monte Carlo method was applied for probabilistic assessment of carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks through oral and dermal exposure routes in both adults and children. The results revealed that approximately 16% of the samples fell within the low pollution category (HPI < 100), indicating relatively lower levels of heavy metal contamination. However, the remaining 84% of the samples exhibited high pollution levels, indicating a significant presence of heavy metal pollutants in the northeastern part of the investigated area. The calculated average risk index (RI) for the collected samples was 18.99, with a range from 0.03 to 103.21. This indicates that a large portion, 82% of the samples, could cause low ecological risk (RI < 30), whereas the remaining 18% indicate a significant environmental pollution risk. The HI for oral ingestion showed that adults had HI values ranging from 0.231 to 1.54, while children exhibited higher values, ranging from 0.884 to 5.9 (Fig. 5a). For dermal exposure, HI values in adults ranged from 2.71E−07 to 8.74E−06 and in children, from 2.18E−06 to 7.03E−05. These findings highlight the potential non-carcinogenic risks associated with oral exposure to PTEs and underscore the increased vulnerability of children to metals such as Fe, Mn, Pb, and Cr. Most samples showed CR exceeding 1 × 10−4 for chromium (Cr) and lead (Pb), indicating a significant vulnerability to carcinogenic effects in both children and adults.

Development and structure of the discipline “Applied chemistry in medicine” (elective course) at the school of medicine

Along with teaching the natural science and medical principles, it is the author's proposal to create a new subject for electives, “How Applied Chemistry Helps in Medication” to see education level of medical application in higher education students within the Faculty of Medicine. This elective tries to amalgamate two different topics involving both chemistry and medicine. Besides this, it places serious emphasis on the importance of public health within the context of medical practice, of the significant role chemical principles may play in the modern health care system. Students have an opportunity to investigate subjects like environmental toxicology, pharmaceutical chemistry, and chemical risk assessment in which they can perceive the chemistry’s face with the public health field. The knowledge about disease prevention strategies, health promotion and community wellness obtained as a result can enhance the skillset students need to work towards evidence-based approaches in disease prevention. The course is designed as a 3.0 credits ECTS specified by the regulatory requirements. Thematic subjects get covered and include chemical principles, toxicology, pharmaceutical chemistry, environmental toxicology, and chemical risk assessment. Sessions are designed to provide a complete picture of the domain and the methodological toolkit, while at the same time they are interactive and practical by applying theoretical concepts to real-life situations. Introduce the development of problem-solving and critical thinking as one of the learning objectives.

The role of HSE risk assessments in mitigating occupational hazards and infectious disease spread: A public health review

The intercession of Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) risk assessments with public health strategy is crucial in mitigating occupational hazards and controlling the spread of infectious diseases. This review examines the role of Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) risk assessments in mitigating occupational hazards and controlling the spread of infectious diseases, with a focus on public health implications. The study highlights the importance of comprehensive risk assessments in identifying and managing workplace hazards, including both physical and psychosocial risks. It discusses the integration of advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence and big data analytics, to enhance the predictive capabilities of HSE risk assessments. The review also explores the necessity of ethical considerations in the application of these technologies, emphasizing transparency, privacy, and accountability. Furthermore, it underscores the importance of coordinated efforts between industries and public health authorities, especially in the context of infectious disease outbreaks like COVID-19. Policy recommendations include the development of robust regulations, the promotion of industry-public health collaboration, and the provision of support for small and medium-sized enterprises. The review identifies gaps in current research and suggests future directions, such as longitudinal studies on the effectiveness of HSE interventions and the inclusion of psychosocial factors in risk assessments. By addressing these gaps and implementing the proposed recommendations, policymakers and industry stakeholders can significantly enhance workplace safety and health standards, ultimately protecting workers and promoting public health resilience.

Development of modified fuzzy FMEA method in environmental risk assessment of earth dams

The investigations have shown that the construction of the dam and its related facilities have significant physical–chemical and ecological effects on the ecosystem. Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) is a technique for ranking risks in projects to construct dams, but it has many deficiencies and ambiguities. Therefore, to prevent the shortcomings of the classical method, the modified fuzzy inference system (MFIS-FMEA) method has been used by creating a two-stage model to more accurately assess the risk of Eyvashan Dam. First, all the considered indicators are weighted using the Shannon entropy method, and the environmental risk is prioritized using the Fuzzy OWA method. In this study, two-stage fuzzy reasoning and a Max–Min combination rule are used. When severity (SEV) and occurrence (OCC) variables are combined, the critical risk index (RCI) values are predicted in the first stage. RCI and detection index (DET) input are then used to predict the MFIS-RPN in the second stage. The results of the risk priority number (RPN) in the MFIS-RPN method are much more accurate and serious than the FIS-RPN method due to the two-stage nature and the use of new language terms. The results of the proposed MFIS-RPN technique show that the highest RPN was obtained with immediate action in the dam construction phase for soil erosion and soil pollution and in the dam operation phase for aquatic and water pollution. Therefore, due to the increase in risk score, it is necessary to take immediate and more accurate monitoring during the construction and operation phases.

Occurrence and Environmental Risk Assessment of Contaminants of Emerging Concern in Brazilian Surface Waters.

We investigated the occurrence and the environmental risk of eight contaminants of emerging concern (CECs; acetaminophen, naproxen, diclofenac, methylparaben, 17β-estradiol, sulfathiazole, sulfadimethoxine, and sulfamethazine) in three Brazilian water bodies, namely, the Monjolinho River Basin (São Paulo State), the Mogi Guaçu River (São Paulo State), and the Itapecuru River (Maranhão State) in three sampling campaigns. The CECs were only quantified in surface water samples collected at the Monjolinho River Basin. Acetaminophen, naproxen, and methylparaben were detected in the range of <200 to 575.9 ng L-1, <200 to 224.7 ng L-1, and <200 to 303.6 ng L-1, respectively. The detection frequencies of the three measured compounds were between 33% and 67%. The highest concentrations of CECs were associated with intense urbanization and untreated sewage discharge. Furthermore, CEC concentrations were significantly correlated with total organic carbon, electrical conductivity, and dissolved oxygen levels, suggesting that domestic pollution from urban areas is an important source in the distribution of CECs in the Monjolinho River Basin. The environmental risk assessment indicated a high risk for acetaminophen (risk quotient [RQ] values between 2.1 and 5.8), a medium risk for naproxen (RQs between 0.6 and 0.7), and a low risk for methylparaben (RQs < 0.1) to the freshwater biota of the Monjolinho River Basin. Our findings show potential threats of CECs in Brazilian water bodies, especially in vulnerable areas, and reinforce the need for improvements in environmental regulations to include monitoring and control of these compounds in aquatic systems. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;00:1-12. © 2024 SETAC.

Exploring the sorption and degradation dynamics of validamycin-A in agricultural soils for environmental management.

Validamycin A (VA) is one of the antibiotics that have been utilized in agriculture in Asia; nevertheless, there haven't been many investigations on what happens to VA in soil. The rate at which pesticides are adsorbed into the soil must be determined, since their usage in agriculture is growing. In order to accomplish this, the current study investigated the sorption and degradation of VA in ten distinct soil samples via batch equilibrium studies while maintaining strict laboratory controls. In thermodynamic analysis with a C-type curve, the negative values of Gibbs free energy (ΔG) are thoroughly evaluated using both linear and Freundlich models. These values vary from - 16.8 to - 22.2kJ/mol. Impact of temperature (18, 23, and 30°C) and pH (5, 7, and 9) on the degradation of this antibiotic in soil was also scrutinized. Our findings demonstrated that, as a result of enhanced microbial activity at higher temperatures, VA deteriorated more quickly at 23°C and 30°C than at 18°C. In comparison to lower pH values, the VA removal efficiencies with sample-4 was significantly greater at pH 7.4 (92.9%) and pH 9 (97.4%). Moreover, first order reaction kinetics were followed in the degradation of VA. The results demonstrated that VA bound to the selected soils, resulting in medium to low persistence as demonstrated by degradation values. In summary, this study provides important information regarding the behavior and fate of VA in different types of soil, information that might be useful in developing workable management strategies and environmental risk assessments.

Risk-prediction nomogram for congenital heart disease in offspring of Chinese pregnant women

BackgroundThe identification and assessment of environmental risks are crucial for the primary prevention of congenital heart disease (CHD). We were aimed to establish a nomogram model for CHD in the offspring of pregnant women and validate it using a large CHD database in Northwest China.MethodsA survey was conducted among 29,204 women with infants born between 2010 and 2013 in Shaanxi province, Northwest China. Participants were randomly assigned to the training set and to the validation set at a ratio of 7:3. The importance of predictive variables was assessed using random forest. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to construct the nomogram for the prediction of CHD.ResultsMultivariate analyses revealed that the gravidity, preterm birth history, family history of birth defects, infection, taking medicine, tobacco exposure, pesticide exposure and singleton/twin pregnancy were significant predictive risk factors for CHD in the offspring of pregnant women. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for the prediction model was 0.716 (95% CI: 0.671, 0.760) in the training set and 0.714 (95% CI: 0.630, 0.798) in the validation set, indicating moderate discrimination. The prediction model exhibited good calibration (Hosmer-Lemeshow χ2 = 1.529, P = 0.910).ConclusionsWe developed and validated a predictive nomogram for CHD in offspring of Chinese pregnant women, facilitating the early prenatal assessment of the risk of CHD and aiding in health education.

Physiological and molecular effects of contaminants of emerging concerns of micro and nano-size in aquatic metazoans: overview and current gaps in Antarctic species.

Although Antarctica is the most isolated continent on Earth, its remote location does not protect it from the impacts of human activities. Antarctic metazoans such as filter-feeding invertebrates are a crucial component of the Antarctic benthos. They play a key role in the benthic-pelagic carbon flux in coastal areas by filtering particles and planktonic organisms from the sediment-water interface. Due to their peculiar ecological niche, these organisms can be considered a wasp-waist in the ecosystem, making them highly sensitive to marine pollution. Recently, anthropogenic particles such as micro-nanoplastics and manufactured nanoparticles (MNP) have been classified as contaminants of emerging concern (CEC) due to their small size range, which also overlaps with the preferred particle size ingested by aquatic metazoans. Indeed, it has been demonstrated that some species such as Antarctic krill can ingest, transform, and release MNPs, making them newly bioavailable for other Antarctic filter-feeding organisms. Similarly, the production and use of anthropogenic MNP are rapidly increasing, leading to a growing presence of materials, such as nano-sized metal-oxides, in the environment. For these reasons, it is important to provide evidence of the adverse effects of such emerging contaminants at sub-lethal concentrations in environmental risk assessments. These contaminants may cause cascade effects with consequences not only on individuals but also at the community and ecosystem levels. In this review, we discuss the state-of-the-art knowledge on the physiological and molecular effects of anthropogenic MNP in Antarctic aquatic metazoans. We further highlight the importance of identifying early biomarkers using sessile metazoans as sentinels of environmental health.

Environmental risk assessment of pharmaceuticals in wastewaters and reclaimed water from catalan main river basins

Aquatic pollution from pharmaceuticals is a growing environmental concern globally, particularly in Catalonia's primary water bodies, the Llobregat and Besòs rivers. This study investigates pharmaceutical residues in reclaimed water effluents from the Llobregat River and a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in the Besòs River, critical contributors to the region's water resources. Employing LC-MS/MS, 85 pharmaceutical residues were monitored, revealing elevated concentrations of tramadol, losartan, and gemfibrozil, commonly prescribed drugs in Catalonia. Surprisingly, downstream concentrations exceeded upstream levels significantly, indicating the adverse impact of reclaimed water on water quality. Furthermore, evaluation of WWTP efficiency displayed varying removal rates, from 10 % to 99.8 %, highlighting treatment inadequacies for certain compounds. Predictive environmental concentrations (PECs) aligned closely with measured values, affirming the utility of predictive models in early-stage research. Risk assessment via the risk quotient (RQ) method identified atorvastatin and chlorpromazine as surpassing toxicity thresholds.This study underscores the urgent need to address pharmaceutical contamination in urban rivers and reclaimed waters in Catalonia. By highlighting treatment inefficacies and potential ecological risks, it contributes to the development of sustainable water management strategies and environmental conservation efforts in the region. Efforts should focus on continuously monitoring specific compounds, evaluating their individual toxicity, and implementing appropriate remediation techniques in WWTPs to safeguard water quality and aquatic ecosystems.

Dynamics of sediment phosphorus in the middle and lower stretch of River Ganga, India: insight into concentration, fractionation, and environmental risk assessment of phosphorus.

Despite continuous efforts, eutrophication is still occurring in freshwater and phosphorus (P) is the most important nutrients that drive the eutrophication in rivers and streams. However, little information is availableabout the distribution of P fractions in river sediment. Here, the sequential extraction approach was used to evaluate the sediment P fractionation and its content in the anthropogenically damaged river Ganga, India. Different sedimentary P fractionsviz. exchangeable (Ex-P), aluminum bound (Al-P), iron bound (Fe-P), calcium bound (Ca-P), and organically bound phosphorus (Org-P), were quantified. Significantly higher level of total P was recorded inpre-monsoonseason (438.5 ± 95.8mg/kg), than other [winter (345.7 ± 110.6mg/kg),post-monsoon(319.2 ± 136.3mg/kg), andmonsoon(288.6 ± 77.3mg/kg)] seasons. Different P fractionssuch as Ex-P, Al-P, Fe-P, Ca-P and Org-P varied from 2.88-12.8mg/kg, 7.64-98.8mg/kg, 32.2-179.2mg/kg, 51.97-286.1mg/kg and 9.3-143.7mg/kg, respectively, which correspondingly represented 0.5-10.54%, 3.41-20.18%, 17.27-37.82%, 37.35-60.2%, 4.15-25.88% of the Total P with a rank order of P-fractions was Ca-P > Fe-P > Org-P > Al-P > Ex-P. Bio-available P contributes a considerable portion (37.9-46.0%) of total P which may increase the eutrophication to overlying water. Results demonstrate that inorganic P species control the P bio-availability in both time and space. However, an estimated phosphorus pollution index based on sediment total P content showed no ecological risk of phosphorus to Ganga River sediment.

Quantitative prediction of soil chromium content using laboratory-based visible and near-infrared spectroscopy with different ensemble learning models

Soil heavy metal chromium pollution poses significant threats to human health and ecosystems, necessitating accurate quantitative prediction methods for effective monitoring and management. This study aims to develop robust predictive models for soil chromium content in farmland soils of Mojiang Hani Autonomous County, Pu’er City, Yunnan Province, China. These models utilize ensemble learning techniques based on visible and near-infrared spectroscopy. Operations before model building involved partitioning datasets with the Kennard-Stone algorithm to ensure representative training and testing sets. Visible and near-infrared spectroscopy-data preprocessing was performed using Savitzky-Golay smoothing and first-order derivative transformations to enhance signal quality. Bands selection was achieved through the Successive Projections Algorithm (SPA), effectively reducing data dimensionality and collinearity. Six ensemble learning models were constructed and assessed for their predictive performance: Bagging-DTR, Random Forest (RF), Adaboost-DTR, XGBoost-DTR, Stacking-1, and Stacking-2. These models utilized Decision Trees (DTR) and Linear Regression (LR) as base learners. Results demonstrated that ensemble models significantly outperformed individual base learners. Notably, the Stacking-2 model achieved the highest accuracy with an R^2 of 0.954, RMSE of 125.967 mg/kg, and RPD of 4.667. To validate the model’s practical applicability, spatial interpolation of soil Cr content was conducted using the Kriging method based on Stacking-2 model predictions. The spatial distribution maps of measured and predicted values exhibited high congruence, underscoring the model’s effectiveness in accurately mapping Cr distribution across the study area. This study underscores the efficacy of integrating ensemble learning with visible and near-infrared spectroscopy-data preprocessing and SPA for precise soil heavy metal prediction. The findings offer valuable insights and a scientific basis for enhanced soil quality monitoring, environmental risk assessment, and informed agricultural land management and pollution control.

The Nearshore Marine of ShenZhen Environmental Risk Assessment Method Based on the DPSIR Framework

The nearshore marine areas are the most intensely concentrated regions for human economic activities and serve as vital carriers for the development of the marine economy. Accurately assessing the environmental risks in these areas is of significant importance for the sustainable development of the marine economy. This study constructs an environmental risk assessment system for the nearshore marine areas of Shenzhen City based on the DPSIR framework and evaluates it using the comprehensive index method. Specifically, the study begins by selecting 27 indicators related to the marine environment to construct the evaluation index system. It employs the grey relational analysis and entropy weight method to weight the indicators and finally assesses the environmental risks of Shenzhen's nearshore marine areas from 2013 to 2020 using the comprehensive index method. The study finds that the environmental risks of Shenzhen's nearshore marine areas from 2013 to 2020 are generally low, with the risk score increasing from 0.3277 to 0.7308 year by year, shifting from a more dangerous to a safe risk level. The research indicates that the marine environment of the nearshore areas in Shenzhen is greatly influenced by local human economic activities and the industrial structure of Shenzhen. The study suggests that the environmental safety level of Shenzhen's nearshore marine areas could be improved by leveraging policy guidance, optimizing the industrial structure, and perfecting tourism management methods.

Determination of persistent organic pollutants in urban and peri-urban wastewater sludge: environmental and carcinogenic human risk assessment in the case of land application.

The management of digested sludge derived from treatment water plants is a problem worldwide due to the possible transfer of contamination from sludge to amended soil and, in turn, to humans. Within this work, through a chemometric experimental design, a robust GC-MS method for the simultaneous determination of two classes of micropollutants of concern (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons-PAHs-and polychlorinated biphenyls-PCBs-including dioxin-like compounds) was developed using microwave-assisted extraction (MAE). The method, which showed interesting greenness features in compliance with the 12 principles of Green Chemistry, allowed PCB and PAH extraction with recoveries higher than 75% (RSD < 14%) with method detection limits between 4.6 and 11.5µgkg-1 (PAHs) and between 6.9 and 13.7µgkg-1 (PCBs), without preconcentration. The matrix effect was below 20%. The validated protocol allowed the characterization of two digested sludges sampled in an urban and a peri-urban district, representative models of two scenarios of different anthropic impacts. This study highlighted higher contamination for the sludge derived from the urban area, accounted for by the 4-ring PAHs. In addition, since carcinogenic PAHs were detected, the environmental risk (by mean of the comparison of predicted vs predicted no-effect concentrations) and the carcinogenic human risk from dermal contact (through the calculation of the adsorbed lifetime average daily dose) were assessed in the case of soils amended with the sludges considered, pointing out that the measured concentrations do not pose a risk.

MiRNA-mediated insect-resistant transgenic rice poses no risk to a non-target parasitoid, Cotesia chilonis, via direct feeding or through its target host.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have started to play an important role in pest control, and novel miRNA-based transgenic insect-resistant plants are now emerging. However, an environmental risk assessment of these novel transgenic plants expressing insect miRNAs must be undertaken before promoting their application. Here, transgenic miR-14 rice, which has high resistance to the rice stem borer Chilo suppressalis, was used as an example for evaluation in this study. Taking the tier1 risk assessment method in Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) crops as a reference, the effects of the direct exposure of a non-target parasitoid, Cotesia chilonis, to a high concentration of miRNA were evaluated. The results showed that direct feeding with miR-14 at high concentration had no significant effects on the biological parameters of Co.chilonis, whereas when miR-14 was injected into Ch.suppressalis-parasitized larvae, the development duration of Co.chilonis was significantly affected. In combination with the real conditions of the rice paddy field, it could be inferred that transgenic miR-14 rice has no significant negative effects on the important non-target parasitoid, Co.chilonis. These results will provide a foundation for the establishment of a new safety evaluation system for novel RNAi-based transgenic plants.