Pesticide Risk Research Articles

Honey bee larval toxicity study designs: Applicability of the current study protocols and endpoints asa predictor of pesticide hazard for pollinators.

The assessment of pesticide risks to bees in North America currently relies in part on Tier 1 honey bee laboratory toxicity studies to support the registration and registration review processes for crop protection chemicals. For immature stages, the studies follow two standardized test designs recommended by the Organization for Economic Cooperation (OECD), evaluating acute (seven-day single-dose, TG OECD 237) and chronic (22-day repeated-dose, GD OECD 239) toxicity in bee larvae. In this article, we aim to evaluate the current approach for generating and interpreting honey bee larval toxicity data, enhancing pesticide risk assessment for pollinators. First, by considering that the repeated-dose larval study covers all stages of honey bee brood development up to adult emergence, we compared endpoints (larval LD/ED50 and LC/EC50 values) from seven-day acute exposure studies with the 22-day chronic exposure studies. Our goal was to identify the study design offering greater sensitivity in assessing pesticide toxicity to immature bees. Our second objective involved analyzing available weight data from emerged adults and comparing it to survival endpoints (e.g., NOEL and LD50) to determine if the weight after adult emergence would accurately represent a sensitive indicator of pesticide effects on developing honey bees. Our analysis determined that the use of a single 22-day chronic exposure study adequately covers all immature stages and that the toxicity values based on cumulative dose are more accurate and representative measures of exposure for immature bees than using endpoints based on estimated daily doses. Furthermore, our analysis suggests that measuring the weight of emerged adults was a more sensitive indicator than mortality of treatment-related effects in 22% of the compounds included in our analysis. Here we also discuss the importance of standardized protocols for proper collection of weight after emergence and the need for further discussion on the relevance of this parameter at risk assessment scheme. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;20:2283-2293. © 2024 Pollinator Research Task Force. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC).

A cross-sectional study examining the pattern of acute poisoning among patients admitted to a governmental hospitals in Sana'a City, Yemen

IntroductionAs in other countries, acute poisoning cases in Yemen are a public health problem that causes a high level of morbidity and mortality. Understanding the general aspects of this issue helps in reducing its severity. ObjectivesThe general goals of this study are to identify patterns of acute poisoning in Yemen, with a focus on poison type and sociodemographic variables. MethodsThis is a cross-sectional study conducted on 177 cases of acute poisoning in the emergency units of three government hospitals in Sana'a, Yemen. Information was collected using a questionnaire that included all sociodemographic and medical data related to each case. ResultsCases of acute poisoning were more common in males (56.5 %) than females(43.5 %), and concentrated in the age group of 21–30 years. Approximately 66,1 % of cases occurred in individuals residing in rural areas. The percentage of non-educated individuals (53.7 %) was higher than educated ones(46.3 %). The study indicated that poisoning incidents were either intentional or non-intentional. Regarding intentional poisoning, it was categorized into homicidal or suicidal acts. The most common toxic substances involved were pesticides(30.5 %), followed by household poisoning (22.0 %), food poisoning(20.9 %), and medications(16.9 %). The most prevalent symptoms accompanying poisoning were nausea and vomiting. With regard to loss of consciousness, the percentage of those who lost consciousness was (28.8 %), and most of the cases were those who were exposed to medicines. ConclusionsCases of acute poisoning are mostly caused by exposure to pesticides, followed by household poisoning incidents and food poisoning. Awareness about the risks of pesticides and how to handle them is crucial, especially since most poisoning cases occur in rural areas among non-educated individuals.

Insights on leaching, adsorption–desorption of spirotetramat and its four metabolites on “Third Pole” pollution-free area:Qinghai–Tibet Plateau

The use of pesticides has led to increased soil and water pollution, which has even affected the world's third pole, the Tibetan Plateau. In this study, the adsorption and desorption experiments of spirotetramat on three typical soils were conducted to investigate the migration and leaching risk of pesticides in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau ecosystem. We used batch equilibrium technique for adsorption-desorption experiments and evaluated leaching risk by computational simulation experiments under laboratory conditions. The Freundlich adsorption constants Kf of spirotetramat in the soils of Haidong, Haixi and Haibei were as follows: At 22.26, 15.13 and 6.85, the maximum adsorption capacity Cmax was 434.80, 217.40 and 169.50 mg kg-1, the average adsorption rates were 77.92, 54.27 and 39.13 %, and the desorption constants (Kf) were 43.27, 22.35 and 11.56, respectively. The hysteresis coefficient HI>1.00 in the soil of Haidong and Haixi, and 0.70<HI<1.00 in the soil of Haibei, indicating that with the increase of temperature, the adsorption capacity of the tested soil for spirotetramat decreases, which increases the migration risk of pesticides. The desorption of spirotetramat in the soil of Haidong and Haixi has a lag. The GUS values of spirotetramat in the soils of Haidong, Haixi and Haibei were 1.15, 1.63 and 1.72, respectively, which were all lower than 1.80, indicating that spirotetramat was a non-leaching pesticide, and the leaching risk of spirotetramat in the soils of Qinghai was small, and the potential harm to groundwater was at a low level.

Peer review of the pesticide risk assessment of the active substance Phthorimaea operculella granulovirus.

The conclusions of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) following the peer review of the initial risk assessments carried out by the competent authority of the rapporteur Member State, The Netherlands for the pesticide active substance Phthorimaea operculella granulovirus are reported. The context of the peer review was that required by Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council. The conclusions were reached on the basis of the evaluation of the representative uses of Phthorimaea operculella granulovirus as an insecticide on tomato (field and greenhouse uses) and on potato (field use) via spraying (tractor drawn or knapsack sprayers) or overhead irrigation. The reliable endpoints, appropriate for use in regulatory risk assessment are presented. Missing information identified as being required by the regulatory framework is listed.

Peer review of the pesticide risk assessment of the active substance Pythium oligandrum strain B301.

The conclusions of EFSA following the peer review of the initial risk assessments carried out by the competent authority of the rapporteur Member State Belgium for the pesticide active substance Pythium oligandrum strain B301 and the considerations as regards the inclusion of the substance in Annex IV of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 are reported. The context of the peer review was that required by Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council. The conclusions were reached on the basis of the evaluation of the representative uses of Pythium oligandrum strain B301 as a resistance inducer/elicitor to control trunk diseases on grapevines. The reliable endpoints, appropriate for use in regulatory risk assessment, are presented. Missing information identified as being required by the regulatory framework is listed. Concerns are reported where identified.

Peer review of the pesticide risk assessment of the active substance triclopyr (variant triclopyr-butotyl).

The conclusions of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) following the peer review of the initial risk assessments carried out by the competent authorities of the rapporteur Member State Poland and co-rapporteur Member State Hungary for the pesticide active substance triclopyr (variant triclopyr-butotyl) and the assessment of applications for maximum residue levels (MRLs) are reported. The context of the peer review was that required by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 844/2012, as amended by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 2018/1659. The conclusions were reached on the basis of the evaluation of the representative uses of triclopyr (variant triclopyr-butotyl) as a herbicide on established pasture and non-recreational amenity grassland (field use). MRLs were assessed in rice. The reliable end points, appropriate for use in regulatory risk assessment and the proposed MRLs, are presented. Missing information identified as being required by the regulatory framework is listed. Concerns are reported where identified.

Honey bees and mason bees as biological indicators of landscape pesticide loads: Different results but similar conclusions

Agricultural environments, including crop and non-crop areas, often provide important pollen and nectar resources for managed and wild bees. However, these resources may be contaminated with pesticides detrimental to bees and other non-target organisms, including humans. Differences in life-history traits among bee species influence food resource exploitation and pesticide exposure. This study assesses the potential of honey bees (Apis mellifera) and mason bees (Osmia), two bee species with highly contrasting functional traits, as biological indicators of pesticide exposure in 34 Italian agricultural farms. Pollen loads of both species were used to identify pollen species collected and to analyse multi-residue levels of pesticides. Pesticide risk indexes were calculated for honey bees, mason bees and humans. In mason bees, pesticide risk was not influenced by plant diversity. In agreement with their pollen preferences and short foraging ranges, mason bees collected a high proportion of pollen from flowers of the target crop. Conversely, pesticide risk decreased with increasing pollen diversity in honey bees. In agreement with their generalist foraging habits and long foraging ranges honey bees collected a greater diversity of pollen species and a lower proportion of target crop pollen. Although honey bees and mason bees showed similar toxic loads and pesticide composition, at a field scale pesticide risk of one species is not a good indicator of the risk to the other species. Our study confirms that bees in agricultural environments are pervasively exposed to multi-residue pesticide loads. Exposure is conditioned by specific bee traits but is also highly context-dependent.

Pesticide Contamination in Native North American Crops, Part II-Comparison of Flower, Honey Bee Workers, and Native Bee Residues in Lowbush Blueberry.

In lowbush blueberry fields, we conducted residue analysis comparing flowers, trapped pollen (honey bee and Osmia spp.), and collected bees (honey bee workers, bumble bee queens, and non-Bombus spp. wild native bees). The study was conducted from 2012 to 2014. The number of pesticide residues, total concentrations, and risk to honey bees (Risk Quotient) on flowers were not significantly different from those determined for trapped honey bee pollen (except in one study year when residues detected in flower samples were significantly lower than residue numbers detected in trapped pollen). The compositions of residues were similar on flowers and trapped pollen. The number of residues detected in honey bee pollen was significantly greater than the number detected in Osmia spp. pollen, while the total concentration of residue was not different between the two types of pollen. The risk to honey bees was higher in trapped honey bee pollen than in trapped Osmia spp. pollen. The analysis of honey bee workers, native bumble bee queens, and native solitary bees showed that although more pesticide residues were detected on honey bee workers, there were no differences among the bee taxa in total residue concentrations or risk (as estimated in terms of risk to honey bees).

Temporal distribution and ecological risk assessment for pesticides in water from the north-central coastal zone of Sinaloa, Mexico

Water contamination with pesticides is one of the major pollution problems in northwestern Mexico, and this is due to the extensive use of pesticides in agriculture. In this research, water samples of ten sampling sites (fishing grounds, beaches, and both) were analyzed in the search for 28 pesticides (organochlorines, organophosphates, pyrethroids, carbamates, among other chemical classes), supplemented with a calculation of the resulting potential environmental risk. Pesticides were separated from the matrix by liquid-liquid extraction and quantified by gas chromatography coupled to electron micro-capture (organohalogenated) and pulsed flame photometric detectors (organophosphates). In addition, the ecotoxicological risk of pesticides in algae, invertebrates, and fish was assessed, based on seawater pesticide concentrations using the Risk Quotient (RQ) and Toxic Units (TU) approach. The results showed 18 pesticides identified in the analyzed samples, where cypermethrin and chlorpyrifos were identified with the maximum concentrations of 1.223 and 0.994 μg L-1, respectively. In addition, these two pesticides have been associated with acute toxic effects on algae, invertebrates, and fish. It is important to pay particular attention to the search for long-term alternatives to the use of chlorpyrifos and cypermethrin due to their high detection rates and the risks associated with their toxic properties. However, the adoption of alternative measures to synthetic pesticide control should be a priority, moving towards sustainable practices such as the use of biopesticides, crop rotation and polycultures.

Agricultural film-derived microplastics elevate the potential risk of pesticides in soil ecosystem: The inhibited leaching by altering soil pore

The residue of mulch film is a crucial source of microplastics (MPs) in agricultural fields. The effects of mulch film-derived MPs on the environmental behavior of pesticides in agriculture remain unclear. In the present study, the effects of MPs of different sizes (5 mm, 1 mm, 30 µm, and 0.3 µm) at environmentally relevant concentrations on pesticide transport were evaluated, and the mechanism was explored with respect to adsorption and pore structure using fluorescence visualization, the extended Derjaguin–Landau–Verwey–Overbeek model, and microcomputed tomography. MPs were found to be retained in the soil due to size limitation, pore capture, and surface adhesion. The presence of mm-sized MPs (5 and 1 mm) at a concentration of 0.25 % inhibited the leaching behavior of atrazine, metolachlor, and tebuconazole. MPs did not significantly alter the pesticide adsorption ability of the soil. The reduced leaching originated from the impact of MPs on soil pore structure. Specifically, the porosity increased by 16.2–25.0 %, and the connectivity decreased by 34.5 %. These results demonstrate that mm-sized MPs inhibit pesticide leaching by obstructing the pores and altering the transport pathways, thereby potentially elevating environmental risks, particularly to the soil ecosystem.

Survey of Pesticide Use between Mango Farmers Practicing Area-Wide Integrated Pest Management and Conventional Farming in West Java, Indonesia

Mango farmers in Indonesia rely heavily on pesticides to control a variety of pests and diseases, with tephritid fruit flies being a major pest of the crop. To reduce pesticide use, Area-Wide Integrated Pest Management (AW-IPM) to control fruit flies was trialed and introduced in 2015 and has now been successfully implemented in several districts in West Java, Indonesia. This study surveyed pesticide use in mango farms adopting AW-IPM and those practicing conventional pest control methods. Purposive and Snowball sampling methods were used to select and interview 83 mango farmers to assess farmers knowledge and practices of pesticide use between the two groups. The farmers surveyed consisted of those that have adopted AW-IPM of fruit flies and conventional farmers, meaning those that did not adopt AW-IPM. The results of the survey revealed that compared to conventional farmers, the AW-IPM farmers had a high level of knowledge of pesticides and most of them were aware of pesticide-related environmental risks and adopted better and safer practices. Overall, storage of pesticides within living areas was reported by 10% of respondents, and most respondents (75%) adopted unsafe practices when disposing of used pesticide containers, such as selling them to plastic waste collectors. Half of all the respondents reported and experienced at least one symptom of a pesticide-related health problems. This study contributes to a better understanding of potential pesticide exposure and risks to mango farmers in Indonesia. A pesticide management training program for the mango farming community is badly needed.

Environmental and Human Risk Assessment from Pesticides During Irrigation Practices: A Case of Haik, Amhara, Ethiopia

Agriculture is the backbone of the Ethiopian economy. Therefore, to increase productivity and to alleviate food insecurity, pesticides were used for in large-scale and small-scale irrigation farming system. On the other hand, pesticides have high risk on the environment and human beings, to estimate this type of pesticide risks the PRIMET model were used. The four main steps were used in this study. The first step was to collect data from secondary sources and the literature. The second step was focused on consulting partners and local communities. The third step of the study mainly focused on identifying analytical and data collection tools. Lastly, risk identification and quantification were developed. The application dose of 2,4-D and Malathion were higher than other pesticides, and its value were 1750 and 1400 g/ha. The predicted environmental concentration values of Lambdacyhalothrin, Malathion, 2,4-D, Propiconazole, and Profenofos pesticides for Fish, Daphnia, and Algae were 0.15,0.25,0.53,0.89 and 0.12 respectively. Propiconazole pesticides were 5000 g/ha and 68.6 mg/kg, which were higher than other pesticides in the terrestrial and Bee risk assessment type. The lambda-cyhalothrin was the higher risk, and ETR values pesticide for Fish, Daphnia, Algae, and Bees, and its ETR values were 70, 64, 6.99, and 5.50. The Profenofos pesticide ETR values were 59.63 and 49.12, which means high risk for terrestrial and Bee risk assessment. The ESTI% value of Lambdacyhalothrin, Malathion, 2,4-D, Propiconazole, and Profenofos pesticides were 0.29, 0.01, 0.11, 0.03, and 0.00. The higher the PEC value, the higher ETR, and ESTI%, which means the pesticide was a higher potential risk to the environment and human beings. The lambda-cyhalothrin and Malathion pesticides were at high possible risk in Lake Haik organisms (Fish, Daphnia, Algae) and Bee around the Lake. The Lambda-cyhalothrin pesticide was a higher potential risk pesticide for humans.

Economics of herbicide‐free crop production

AbstractAmbitious pesticide policies aiming to reduce pesticide applications and risks have been introduced across Europe. Herbicides represent a major part of pesticide use, but the uptake of mechanical or agronomic alternatives remains low. We here explore underlying reasons and provide policy insights for supporting a transformation to herbicide‐free production, accounting for both economic and agronomic drivers. We develop detailed extensions to an existing bio‐economic modeling approach and use stochastic dominance analysis to assess the performance of non‐chemical alternatives to herbicides under different production and market conditions exante. We apply our approach to Swiss wheat production and find that herbicide‐free production is not viable without financial support, and thus requires additional per‐hectare agri‐environmental payments and price markups to be economically viable. We find that currently available support payments in Switzerland are sufficient in achieving economic viability of herbicide‐free production. Moreover, we confirm the relevance of risk and risk preferences and identify a risk‐reducing character of herbicide‐free production systems with support payments. Our analysis provides insights on potential drivers, trade‐offs, decision‐making factors, and policies for a transition to non‐chemical weed control.

The opportunities and challenges of provisioning low pesticide risk fresh produce by smallholder farmers to hospitality and foodservice organizations

ABSTRACT This study explores how hospitality businesses source low pesticide risk fresh produce from smallholder farmers. Stakeholder interviews across Europe, Africa, and Southeast Asia (n=19) reveal a lack of standardisation for low-pesticide fresh produce. Despite concerns about potential pesticide contamination, local, seasonal and low-carbon options are prioritized, and intermediaries are considered as providers of food safety reassurance. Collaboration with smallholder farmers is limited due to unpredictable supply and capacity. The study calls for the set-up of industry standards on low pesticide risk fresh produce and smallholder collaboration capacity building, potentially through technology, to improve food safety, sustainability, and supply chain resilience.

The Level of Farmers’ Knowledge About the Risks of Pesticides on the Environment in Samarra District / Salah Al-Din Governorate

The Level of Farmers’ Knowledge About the Risks of Pesticides on the Environment in Samarra District / Salah Al-Din Governorate

Peer review of the pesticide risk assessment of the active substance mepiquat (evaluated variant mepiquat chloride).

The conclusions of the EFSA following the peer review of the initial risk assessments carried out by the competent authorities of the rapporteur Member State, Finland, and co-rapporteur Member State, Estonia, for the pesticide active substance mepiquat (evaluated variant mepiquat chloride) are reported. The context of the peer review was that required by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 844/2012, as amended by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 2018/1659. The conclusions were reached on the basis of the evaluation of the representative uses of mepiquat chloride as a plant growth regulator on cereals and grass (field uses). The reliable end points, appropriate for use in regulatory risk assessment, are presented. Missing information identified as being required by the regulatory framework is listed. Concerns are identified.

Peer review of the pesticide risk assessment for the active substance difenoconazole in light of confirmatory data submitted.

The conclusions of the EFSA following the peer review of the initial risk assessment carried out by the competent authority of the rapporteur Member State, Spain, for the pesticide active substance difenoconazole are reported. The context of the peer review was that requested by the European Commission following the submission and evaluation of confirmatory information with regard to the consumer risk assessment. The conclusions were reached on the basis of the evaluation of the representative uses of difenoconazole as a fungicide on pome fruit, carrot, wheat, barley, triticale, rye and oats. The reliable endpoints concluded as being appropriate for use in regulatory risk assessment, derived from the available studies and/or literature in the dossier peer reviewed, are presented. Concerns were not identified.

Outcome of the consultation with Member States, the applicant and EFSA on the pesticide risk assessment for etoxazole in light of confirmatory information

Outcome of the consultation with Member States, the applicant and EFSA on the pesticide risk assessment for etoxazole in light of confirmatory information

Peer review of the pesticide risk assessment of the active substance paraffin oil (CAS 8042-47-5, chain lengths C17-C31).

The conclusions of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) following the peer review of the initial risk assessments carried out by the competent authorities of the rapporteur Member State, Greece, and co-rapporteur Member State, France, for the pesticide active substance paraffin oil are reported. The context of the peer review was that required by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 844/2012, as amended by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 2018/1659. The conclusions were reached on the basis of the evaluation of the representative uses of paraffin oil as an acaricide and insecticide on potatoes, ornamentals (flower bulbs) and orchards (pear/apple), on pome fruit and stone fruit, on field and permanent protected fruiting vegetables and on field and permanent protected roses and on citrus. The reliable end points appropriate for use in regulatory risk assessment are presented. Missing information identified as being required by the regulatory framework is listed. Concerns are reported where identified.

Peer review of the pesticide risk assessment of the active substance lenacil.

The conclusions of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) following the peer review of the initial risk assessments carried out by the competent authorities of the rapporteur Member State, Belgium, and co-rapporteur Member State, Austria, for the pesticide active substance lenacil are reported. The context of the peer review was that required by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 844/2012, as amended by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 2018/1659. The conclusions were reached on the basis of the evaluation of the representative uses of lenacil as a herbicide on sugar and fodder beet (field use). The reliable end points, appropriate for use in regulatory risk assessment, are presented. Missing information identified as being required by the regulatory framework is listed. Concerns are reported where identified.