Pesticide Exposure Research Articles

A multi-scale integrative approach to study the impact of a common pesticide, the dimethoate, on a mangrove fiddler crab Tubuca urvillei.

At land-sea interface, mangroves are likely to be exposed to pesticides due to agricultural run-offs. In Mayotte Island (Comoros archipelago, Mozambique Channel), dimethoate (DMT) is found in high concentrations in tomatoes, but no data confirm its presence in mangroves. We aimed at screening the presence of DMT in three mangroves of Mayotte at different levels (highest point above crops, village, upstream mangrove, downstream mangrove) and assessing the impact of DMT coupled with reduced salinity on mangrove crab physiology. To do so, we performed 24-h exposures at sublethal concentrations (10 and 100µg L-1) corresponding to 100 × and 1000 × the environmental standard (no data exist on environmental concentrations), in seawater (SW) and diluted SW (dSW). We exposed male fiddler crab Tubuca urvillei, one of the most common fiddler crabs living in mangrove areas regularly flooded and exposed to agricultural run-offs. Different physiological endpoints were considered: behaviour, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, muscle energy metabolism, DNA oxidative damage and osmoregulatory capacity using hemolymph samples, posterior gills and claw muscle. We confirmed the presence of DMT in one mangrove and the effect of pesticide exposure at the different endpoints. Changes in behavioural and physiological parameters highlighted in this study could warn us of recent pesticide use upstream and help us understand past or future community-level changes in mangrove ecosystems affected by pesticide inputs.

An update of the impact of pesticide exposure on memory and learning

An update of the impact of pesticide exposure on memory and learning

Adjuvants for Drone-Based Aerial Chemical Applications to Mitigate Off-Target Drift

Off-target drift from aerial pesticide applications in croplands can be a major source of pesticide exposure to pollinators. Pesticide adjuvants (PAs) are added to pesticides but can be as toxic as pesticides’ active ingredients. Ongoing experiments have identified sodium alginate (SA) as a drift-reducing PA less toxic to honeybees. Hence, SA and fenugreek polymer (FP) have been tested as drift-reducing PAs for aerial applications using the Remotely Piloted Aerial Application System (RPAAS). Two spray experiments were carried out in the field: (i) water only (W) and (ii) water and adjuvant (WA). Droplet spectrum and on-target coverage were collected using a VisiSize P15 image analyzer and kromekote cards, respectively. The drift reduction potentials (DRPs) of the adjuvants were analyzed based on droplet size (diameters of 10%, 50%, and 90% volume) and the proportion of driftable volume with droplets < 200 µm. Compared to the W only, the W-A treatment produced larger droplets, suggesting the presence of DRP. There were 14.5%, 8.3% to 14.4%, and 2.3% to 7.7% driftable fines in the W, WA (SA), and WA (FP) treatments, respectively. The FP treatment improved the on-target coverage (3.0% to 3.1%) compared to water (2.7%). Our results indicate that SA and FP have the potential to mitigate off-target drift and protect pollinator health.

Assessment of unintentional acute pesticide poisoning among smallholder vegetable farmers in Trinidad and Jamaica

Poisoning caused by pesticides is widely recognized as a major public health problem among smallholder farmers and rural communities, including in the Caribbean. However, a lack of quality data impedes understanding of the problem and hampers the development of effective strategies for its management. To better understand the prevalence of unintentional acute pesticide poisoning (UAPP) in Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica and the pesticides and practices involved, we conducted a cross-sectional survey of 197 and 330 vegetable farmers in Trinidad and Jamaica, respectively. The findings from this study revealed a high incidence of self-reported health effects from occupational pesticide exposure, with 48 and 16% of respondents, respectively, experiencing symptoms of UAPP within the previous 12 months. Furthermore, the substantial proportion of UAPP incidents were associated with a few highly hazardous pesticides (HHPs), particularly lambda-cyhalothrin, acetamiprid, and profenofos in Jamaica, and alpha-cypermethrin, paraquat and lambda-cyhalothrin in Trinidad. Given the well-documented adverse effects of these chemicals on human health, the results of this study should be of significant concern to health authorities in Jamaica and Trinidad. This clearly indicates an urgent need for improved regulation and safer alternatives to the use of HHPs, as well as the promotion of alternatives. We provide policy recommendations and identify alternatives to HHPs for tropical vegetable production.

Pesticides and prostate cancer incidence and mortality: An environment-wide association study.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in the United States, yet modifiable risk factors remain elusive. In this study, the authors investigated the potential role of agricultural pesticide exposure in prostate cancer incidence and mortality. For this environment-wide association study (EWAS), linear regression was used to analyze county-level associations between the annual use of 295 distinct pesticides (measured in kg per county) and prostate cancer incidence and mortality rates in the contiguous United States. Data were analyzed in two cohorts: 1997-2001 pesticide use with 2011-2015 outcomes (discovery) and 2002-2006 use with 2016-2020 outcomes (replication). The reported effect sizes highlight how a 1-standard-deviation increase in log-transformed pesticide use (kg per county) corresponds to changes in incidence. Analyses were adjusted for county-level demographics, agricultural data, and multiple testing. Twenty-two pesticides showed consistent, direct associations with prostate cancer incidence across both cohorts. Of these, four pesticides were also associated with prostate cancer mortality. In the replication cohort, each 1-standard-deviation increase in log-transformed pesticide use corresponded to incidence increases per 100,000 individuals (trifluralin, 6.56 [95% confidence interval (CI), 5.04-8.07]; cloransulam-methyl, 6.18 [95% CI, 4.06-8.31]; diflufenzopyr, 3.20 [95% CI, 1.09-5.31]; and thiamethoxam, 2.82 [95% CI, 1.14-4.50]). Limitations included ecological study design, potential unmeasured confounding, and lack of individual-level exposure data. The results of this study suggest a potential link between certain pesticides and increased prostate cancer incidence and mortality. These findings warrant further investigation of these specific pesticides to confirm their role in prostate cancer risk and to develop potential public health interventions.

Identifying childhood pesticide exposure trajectories and critical window associated with behavioral problems at 10 years of age: Findings from SMBCS

BackgroundPesticides may impact children’s neurodevelopment. As children’s metabolic function and neural plasticity change throughout their growth and development, the effects of pesticide exposure may also vary. ObjectivesWe aimed to identify the trajectories of combined pesticide exposure during childhood, and examine the associations of the exposure trajectories with children’s neurobehavior at the age of 10. MethodsWe involved repeated measurements of three pesticide metabolites [Pentachlorophenol (PCP), 3,5,6-Trichloro-2-pyridinol (TCPy), and Carbofuran phenol (CFP)], in urine samples collected from children in a cohort study at ages 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 years. The group-based multi-trajectory model (GBMT) and latent class analysis (LCA) were separately utilized to describe the distinct trajectories and patterns of pesticide mixture exposure during childhood. Meanwhile, the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) Criteria of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) list were applied to assess behavioral disorders in children. The associations between exposure trajectories and behavioral problem scores were then examined. ResultsThe GBMT model delineated three distinct trajectories of combined pesticide exposure among children: consistently low, higher levels in early childhood transitioning to lower levels during pre-school age, and lower levels in early childhood followed by higher levels in the middle childhood. The LCA model identified three similar longitudinal exposure patterns. Further, the children in the second trajectory group identified by GBMT, characterized by higher early childhood exposure levels, exhibited significantly elevated hyperactivity/inattention scores of the SDQ compared to the other two groups (β = 0.46, 95 %CI: 0.11, 0.81; β = 0.44, 95 %CI: 0.02, 0.86). ConclusionsOur study revealed that exposure to pesticides during early childhood (especially before the age of two), rather than other age periods, was linked to hyperactivity/inattention problems in children aged 10 years. We also provided a novel perspective on characterizing the fluctuation in repeated measurements of multiple environmental chemicals and identifying the potential critical windows.

Investigating Influence of Multiple Risk Factors on Survival Likelihood in Esophageal Cancer Patients: Evidence from Assam, North-East India

Background: To comprehend the complex interplay of multiple risk factors impacting survival at a localized level is imperative. This study aimed to explore survival patterns and identify the underlying causal factors linked to mortality risk in the region. Methodology: Data from 200 patients with esophageal cancer treated at three prominent hospitals over the course of one year is collected for the study purpose. The Kaplan‒Meier curve and Cox proportional hazard regression model were employed. Results: This study identified smokeless tobacco consumption habits showing a 6-fold elevated mortality risk (HR 6.22, p<0.001). Subsequently, cultivator (HR 4.85, p=0.001) and male gender (HR 4.24, p=0.001) showed higher mortality risk. Additionally, a significantly higher prevalence of death among smokers with comorbidity (66.0%) is found compared to smokers without comorbidity (44.1%), p=0.043. The survival probability shows a declining trend, i.e. 84.50% in the first year to 13% in the 6th year. With an 82% change, this variation was greatest between the 3rd and 4th years. Conclusions: To better understand mortality risk, certain risk factors, such as salted fish, fertilizer and pesticide exposure, and length of marriage, need to be thoroughly investigated in future studies due to limited knowledge about this exposure at a localized level.

Quantifying residents' exposure to agricultural pesticides using new geospatial approaches

A better understanding of environmental exposure to agricultural pesticides is crucial for public health, regulatory and management purposes. Residents in close vicinity to agricultural fields are likely to be more exposed to pesticides. In that context, an innovative geospatial approach for mapping estimates of agricultural pesticide exposure was developed in this study.Data on pesticide application rates, high-resolution annual datasets of the geographic distribution of crops, and the 100x100m grid population dataset were utilized to complete this analysis in Wallonia (Belgium) over the period 2015-2019. Pesticide exposure metrics were estimated using a buffer-based exposure model by conducting neighborhood analysis within a 1000m buffer radius. Subsequently, a population weighted method was used to ‘up-scale’ the exposure data to administrative levels. In a limited validation effort, model estimates were compared with pesticide measurements in air collected at 12 stations during the period 2015-2016.The results present the first modeling map of environmental exposure to agricultural pesticides for the whole of the Walloon region. The northern part of the Sambre-Meuse axis demonstrates more intensive agriculture and the highest pesticide weighted exposure indices. The majority of the population resides near agricultural areas, with only 4% living in regions that lack crops within a 1000m radius, primarily in the central areas of large cities. A positive trend association between pesticide measures in air and the index was observed at the different stations, nevertheless further validation efforts are needed to accurately compare the same active ingredients.This work gives a valuable basis for research and environmental health actions in Belgium. Maps highlight areas where human biomonitoring and epidemiological studies should be implemented to investigate the impact of potential environmental exposure to pesticides. This information helps policy-makers to take measures to control and reduce the load of agricultural pesticides in the environment.

Consumer Safety and Pesticide Residues: Evaluating Mitigation Protocols for Greengrocery

The application of pesticides remains a necessary measure for pest management in agriculture, particularly in the cultivation of fruits and vegetables. After harvest, the presence of pesticide residues in greengrocery (fruits and vegetables) is significantly influenced by various factors, including storage conditions, handling practices, and subsequent processing methods. The mitigation of these residues to levels compliant with regulated maximum thresholds ensures the safety of raw and processed fruits and vegetables for consumption. A contemporary survey of pesticide residues in greengrocery has gathered considerable attention from consumers, driven by concerns over the potential health risk of pesticide exposure. Consequently, consumers want to be extensively informed about household processing techniques to minimize associated risks. Meanwhile, a critical question arises: does household processing effectively eliminate pesticide residues? A comprehensive review of the literature reveals that conventional methods, such as washing and soaking, offer only limited reduction in residue levels, while emerging treatments, suitable both at household and industrial scale, demonstrate increased efficiency in residues mitigation. This study aims to emphasise the ubiquitous use of pesticides in crop cultivation while providing recommendations for the implementation of efficient treatment protocols to address residue concerns. Following upon available evidence and database mining, the worldwide purpose must be to outline agriculturally and economically viable strategies that prioritize both the health and safety of consumers, as well as the green cultivation and processing of fruits and vegetables.

Alternative oxidase of plants mitochondria is related with increased resistance of tomato mtDNA to the difenoconazole exposure

It is known that plant mitochondria and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) are more resistant to damage than animal mitochondria. We hypothesized that this phenomenon may be related to alternative respiratory pathways in plants mitochondria, in particular alternative oxidase (AOX). The results of a pot experiment demonstrated that the application of the fungicide difenoconazole at concentrations that were 3-, 5-, and 10-times higher than the recommended dosage resulted in a 106 %, 76 %, and 90 % increase in mitochondrial DNA damage in tomato shoots, respectively, in comparison to the shoots treated with difenoconazole at the dosage recommended by the manufacturer . Inhibition of shoot growth was observed in response to treatment with difenoconazole at a dose 10times higher than recommended. It is noteworthy that when tomatoes were treated with difenoconazole at this concentration, there was a tendency for the expression of inducible aox1a. In a field experiment, difenoconazole at a concentration of 5 times higher than recommended resulted in a 10 % increase in mtDNA damage in the fruits compared to the control. Similar results were obtained in an in vitro experiment. The addition of low doses of difenoconazole to intact tomato mitochondria did not cause mtDNA damage. The observed damages occured only when 200 μM difenoconazole was added. In contrast, incubation of 20 μM difenoconazole with SHAM, which inhibits AOX, resulted in a 115 % increase in mtDNA damage compared to the use of the same concentration without difenoconazole. This finding is consistent with the damaging effect induced by 200 μM difenoconazole. The increase in difenoconazole toxicity induced by SHAM and the elevation in aox1a gene expression resulting from the treatment with a 10 times higher than the recommended dose of difenoconazole may signify a pivotal function of AOX in the increased resistance of plant mtDNA to the pesticide exposure.

Current-use pesticide exposures in remote Inuit communities

ABSTRACT The global use of pesticides is increasing; however, few studies have examined the exposure of current-use pesticide exposure in Inuit populations. Some current use pesticides are also capable of long-range transport, potentially increasing exposures to northern populations. The study aim was to analyse pesticide (chlorophenoxy, organophosphates, and pyrethroid pesticide) biomarker levels in pooled samples from an Inuit population in Nunavik, Quebec. Thirty pooled samples from the Qanuilirpitaa? 2017 survey (Q2017) from individuals aged 16–80 years were included. Creatinine-adjusted arithmetic (AM) were compared by sex, age, and region sub-groups, and geometric mean concentrations (GM) were compared to those in the Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS). Most analysed pesticide biomarkers were detected, and PNP (a metabolite of methyl and ethyl parathion), trans-DCCA (a metabolite of pyrethroids), and 3,5,6-TCP (a metabolite of chlorpyrifos) had the highest concentrations. Concentrations in Q2017 were largely similar to or less than CHMS concentrations. Although not significant, there was a general increase in 2,4-D (a chlorophenoxy biomarker), 3,5,6-TCP, 3-PBA (a metabolite of pyrethroids), and trans-DCCA with increasing age. Concentrations were also somewhat higher in females versus males, but these were not significant. Environmental exposures to current use pesticides were detected in Nunavik and concentrations were similar to or less than those in the general Canadian population. Regular monitoring of current use pesticide exposures is recommended given the increasing global use of pesticides.

Longitudinal Analysis of Honey Bee Colony Health as a Function of Pesticide Exposure

Sixty commercial honey bee colonies were monitored over the course of one year with the goal of assessing potential correlations between measured colony strength and environmental stressors, including exposures to pesticides and pathogens. We developed a new method for assessing colony health by determining the fractional change in population of the four colonies on each pallet between peak population on 1 June and the last population assessment prior to winter on 1 October. This fractional change in population was evaluated as a function of pesticide load per pallet for each of the 37 pesticide chemicals detected, grouping pallets by beekeeper. The analysis of individual chemicals showed that both imidacloprid and cyprodinil were negatively correlated with colony health, while tau-fluvalinate and dinotefuran (at very low concentrations) were positively correlated, possibly because of effects on Varroa control. Exposure to groups of chemicals was also evaluated. Normalization of each chemical concentration to the maximum observed for that chemical provided an equal weighting for each chemical, even though their relative occurrence in the environment and their effective toxicities might differ. A total of 24 chemical groups whose members share a structural commonality, a functional commonality, or suspected synergistic actions were considered, demonstrating negative correlations between colony health and exposures to neonicotinoids as a group and neonicotinoids in combination with (1) methoxyfenozide (2) organophosphates, and (3) diflubenzuron. Analysis of several groups of fungicides applied to almonds during pollination also showed negative correlations with colony health.

Pervasive sublethal effects of agrochemicals on insects at environmentally relevant concentrations.

Insect biomass is declining globally, likely driven by climate change and pesticide use, yet systematic studies on the effects of various chemicals remain limited. In this work, we used a chemical library of 1024 molecules-covering insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, and plant growth inhibitors-to assess the impact of sublethal pesticide doses on insects. In Drosophila melanogaster, 57% of chemicals affected larval behavior, and a higher proportion compromised long-term survivability. Exposure to sublethal doses also induced widespread changes in the phosphoproteome and changes in development and reproduction. The negative effects of agrochemicals were amplified when the temperature was increased. We observed similar behavioral changes across multiple insect species, including mosquitoes and butterflies. These findings suggest that widespread sublethal pesticide exposure can alter insect behavior and physiology, threatening long-term population survival.

Biomarkers of Pesticide Exposure in a Traditional Brazilian Amazon Community

In 2008, Brazil became the country with the highest pesticide use in the world, with over one billion liters of pesticides applied to crops in 2009. The impacts of these products on public health are wide-ranging. Vast territories are affected, involving different population groups, such as workers in various fields of activity, the population that consumes contaminated food, and people living around factories, such as traditional communities. This study aimed to assess human exposure to pesticides through epidemiological and laboratory data of residents of the Santo Antônio quilombola community in Concórdia do Pará, Amazon region, Brazil. Epidemiological data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire, which included factors such as sex, age, length of residence, and level of exposure to pesticides. The modified Ellman method was used to assess the activity of cholinesterases, and flow cytometry was performed for cytokine analysis. Analysis of collected blood samples showed that, in most cases, there was no significant reduction in the activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) compared to other studies in the scientific literature. Meanwhile, there was an increase in the levels of IFN-γ cytokines, especially IL-6, in all groups. The findings of this study highlight the urgent need for a comprehensive monitoring program, considering that some conditions other than pesticide exposure can alter the activities of the biomarkers used in this study.

Association Between Prenatal Exposure to Organochlorine Pesticides and Telomere Length in Neonatal Cord Blood

Objectives: Environmental exposure may affect the telomere length (TL) of newborns, which is considered as an early biomarker indicating susceptibility for later life diseases. However, the effects of prenatal organochlorine pesticide (OCP) exposure on newborn TL remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the association between prenatal exposure levels of OCPs during pregnancy and TL in neonatal cord blood. Methods: A total of 168 mother–infant pairs from a birth cohort in Wuhan, China, were included this study. The concentrations of hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs, including β-HCH, α-HCH, and γ-HCH), p,p’-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (p,p’-DDT) and its metabolites (p,p’-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane, p,p’-DDD; p,p’-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene, p,p’-DDE) were measured in cord blood. The associations between the OCPs and the TL in newborns were analyzed by a generalized linear regression model. Stratified analyses by newborn sex, maternal gestational weight gain, and pregnancy body mass index (BMI) were performed to evaluate if the associations were modified by these factors. Results: The detection rates of various OCPs ranged from 50.9% to 100.0%. The median concentration of p,p’-DDE was the highest (33.90 ng/g lipid), followed by β-HCH (8.67 ng/g lipid), and the median concentrations of the other OCPs were between 0.12 and 0.33 ng/g lipid. Among the all newborns, a two-fold increase in the γ-HCH concentration in the cord blood was significantly associated with a 0.024 (95% CI: −0.041, −0.007) decrease in the TL. After stratification by newborn sex, the inverse association between γ-HCH and the TL was only statistically significant in boys, but not in girls (P for interaction <0.05). In addition, after stratification by pre-pregnancy BMI, β-HCH and p,p’-DDT concentrations were significantly associated with a decreased TL in the overweight pre-pregnancy BMI group [−0.111 (95% CI: −0.203, −0.018) and −0.036 (95% CI: −0.049, −0.023), respectively]. Conclusions: Prenatal exposure to OCPs during pregnancy was associated with a decreased neonatal telomere length, which may be affected by the newborn sex and pre-pregnancy BMI. These findings may provide new insights into the mechanisms underlying OCP-induced adverse health effects.

The impact of landscape structure on pesticide exposure to honey bees

Pesticides may have serious negative impacts on bee populations. The pesticide exposure of bees could depend on the surrounding landscapes in which they forage. In this study, we assess pesticide exposure across various land-use categories, while targeting the Japanese honey bee, Apis cerana japonica, a native subspecies of the eastern honey bee. In a project involving public participation, we measured the concentrations of major pesticides in honey and beeswax collected from 175 Japanese honey bee colonies across Japan and quantitatively analyzed the relationships between pesticide presence/absence or pesticide concentration and land-use categories around the colonies. Our findings revealed that the surrounding environment in which bees live strongly influences pesticide residues in beehive materials, whether the pesticides are systemic or not, with a clear trend for each land-use category. Agricultural lands, particularly paddy fields and orchards, and urban areas resulted in higher pesticide exposure, whereas forests presented a lower risk of exposure. To effectively control pesticide exposure levels in bees, it is essential to understand pesticide usage patterns and to develop appropriate regulatory systems in non-agricultural lands, similar to those in agricultural lands.

Gestational organophosphate pesticide exposure and childhood cardiovascular outcomes

IntroductionThe general population is chronically exposed to organophosphate pesticides through various routes including ingestion, hand-to-mouth contact, inhalation, and dermal contact. Exposure to organophosphate pesticides during pregnancy impairs fetal development, but the potential long-term effects of gestational organophosphate pesticide exposure are less well understood. MethodsWe investigated associations between gestational organophosphate pesticide exposure and cardiovascular outcomes in 643 children in the Generation R Study, a prospective pregnancy cohort based in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Urinary organophosphate pesticide metabolites (dimethyl [∑DMAP], diethyl [∑DEAP], and total dialkyl phosphate [∑DAP] metabolites) were quantified in three urine samples collected from pregnant participants, and their children were followed until age 10 years at which time cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasonography, blood pressure, and serum biomarkers assessed cardiovascular health. Linear regression models estimated associations (β and 95 % confidence interval [CI]) between a one-interquartile range (IQR) increase in averaged gestational exposure biomarker concentrations and z-scored pediatric cardiovascular outcomes. We investigated effect modification of associations by PON1 genotype. ResultsCarotid intima-media thickness z-score was lower (β: -0.14 [95 % CI: −0.25, −0.02]) and HDL cholesterol z-score was higher (β: 0.14 [95 % CI: 0.02, 0.25]) for increases in ∑DEAP concentrations. Carotid intima-media distensibility z-score was lower (β: -0.08 [95 % CI: −0.19, 0.03]) for increases in ∑DMAP concentrations, and systolic blood pressure z-score was higher (β: 0.10 [95 % CI: −0.01, 0.21]) for increases in ∑DMAP and ∑DAP. Among those with PON1-161CC and PON1-L55MTT genotypes, higher organophosphate pesticide concentrations conferred an excess risk of adverse vascular and glycemic outcomes, respectively. ConclusionsWe observed heterogenous associations between gestational organophosphate pesticide exposure and pediatric cardiovascular health: an anti-atherogenic profile was observed for increases in ∑DEAP concentrations, and impairments in multiple aspects of cardiovascular health was observed for increases in ∑DMAP concentrations. PON1-161 and PON1-L55M single nucleotide polymorphisms modified associations for vascular and glycemic outcomes, respectively.

Pesticide Use and Civil Rights in Central California: Slow Violence and the State

This article presents the findings of the People’s Tribunal on Pesticide Use and Civil Rights (Lindsay, California, September 2023) which provides a nuanced account of the mechanisms by which the state perpetuates/organizes limited response to environmental harms. We apply a “slow violence” lens to community testimony, further informed by interviews and focus groups in English and Spanish, which included officials, scientists focusing on pesticide use and exposure, community leaders, and farmworkers. “Slow violence” illuminates practices and institutions that sustain, routinize, and normalize suffering over time. Ongoing and pervasive civil rights violations on farms and in agricultural communities are only identifiable via slow observation and differ from the “disparate impact” frame of civil rights practice in environmental law. Our results call for social scientists and legal scholars to revisit claims of intentional discrimination rather than disparate impact and point to the potential for civil rights enforcement by state agencies.

Chlorpyrifos and dimethoate exposure impairs female fertility by deregulating WNT signaling pathway & uterine receptivity

The study assessed histological, biochemical, oxidative stress, and molecular parameters to evaluate the consequences of Chlorpyrifos and Dimethoate exposure on uterine health in female rats. Despite showing no obvious signs of toxicity apart from minor clinical symptoms in DM-exposed rats, both pesticides caused degenerative changes in uterine tissue. This study demonstrates that pesticides induce inflammatory responses and oxidative stress in rats, by NF-κB activation and altering antioxidant enzyme levels. Besides, CPF and DM exposure disrupted gene expression of HOXA10, HOXA11, and WNT and reduced activation of β-catenin in the uterus, which is crucial for implantation and reproductive function. These findings suggest that pesticide exposure may impair reproductive health and fertility in females, highlighting potential implications for human health.

Chronic oral toxicity protocol for adult solitary bees (Osmia bicornis L.): Reduced survival under long-term exposure to a “bee-safe” insecticide

Pollinators are essential for crop productivity. Yet, in agricultural areas, they may be threatened by pesticide exposure. Current pesticide risk assessments predominantly focus on honey bees, with a lack of standardized protocols for solitary bees. This study addresses this gap by developing a long-term oral exposure protocol tailored for O. bicornis. We conducted initial trials to determine optimal container sizes and feeding methods, ensuring high survival rates and accurate syrup consumption measurements. A validation test involving five laboratories was then conducted with the insecticide Flupyradifurone (FPF). Control mortality thresholds were set at ≤ 15% at 10 days. Three laboratories achieved ≤10%, demonstrating the protocol's effectiveness in maintaining healthy test populations. The seasonal timing of experiments influenced control mortality, underscoring the importance of aligning tests with the natural flight period of the population used. Our findings revealed dose-dependent effects of FPF on syrup consumption, showing stimulatory effects at lower concentrations and inhibitory effects at higher ones. The 10-day median lethal daily dose (LDD50) of FPF for O. bicornis (531.92 ng/bee/day) was 3.4-fold lower than that reported for Apis mellifera (1830 ng/bee/day), indicating Osmia's higher susceptibility. Unlike other insecticides, FPF did not exhibit time-reinforced toxicity. This study introduces a robust protocol for chronic pesticide exposure in solitary bees, addressing a critical gap in current risk assessment. Based on its low risk to honey bees and bumblebees, FPF is approved for application during flowering. However, our results suggest that it may threaten Osmia populations under realistic field conditions. Our findings underscore the need for comparative toxicity studies to ensure comprehensive protection of all pollinators and the importance of accounting for long term exposure scenarios in risk assessment. By enhancing our understanding of chronic pesticide effects in solitary bees, our study should contribute to the development of more effective conservation strategies and sustainable agricultural practices.