Exposure Level of Neonicotinoid Insecticides in the Food Chain and the Evaluation of Their Human Health Impact and Environmental Risk: An Overview

Yuanyuan Zhao, Jiawen Yang, Jinbo Ren, Yilin Hou, Zhenzhen Han, Jiapeng Xiao and Yu Li
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Yuanyuan Zhao: MOE Key Laboratory of Resources and Environmental System Optimization, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China
Jiawen Yang: MOE Key Laboratory of Resources and Environmental System Optimization, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China
Jinbo Ren: Jilin Branch of China Kunlun Contracting Engineering Corporation, No. 888 Binjiangxi Road, Jilin 132013, China
Yilin Hou: MOE Key Laboratory of Resources and Environmental System Optimization, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China
Zhenzhen Han: MOE Key Laboratory of Resources and Environmental System Optimization, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China
Jiapeng Xiao: MOE Key Laboratory of Resources and Environmental System Optimization, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China
Yu Li: MOE Key Laboratory of Resources and Environmental System Optimization, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 18, 1-26

Abstract: Neonicotinoid insecticides (neonics) were the most rapidly growing class of insecticides over the past few decades, and are used mainly for vegetables, fruits, and grains. Although neonics exhibit lower toxicity in mammals and humans compared to traditional insecticides, increasing numbers of studies are demonstrating that neonics may accumulate in the food chain and environmental media. Long-term exposure to neonics may raise potential risks to animals and even to humans. The present report reviews the development, application, and prohibition of neonics in the farmland ecosystem, and summarizes the exposure level and harmful effects of these insecticides in the food chain. In addition, the present review analyzes and summarizes the evaluation of the human health impact and environmental risk of the neonics, and overviews the unresolved problems and future research directions in this field. The aim of the present report was to review the exposure level, potential toxicity, human health impact, and environmental risk assessment of neonics in various media in order to provide reliable technical support for strengthening the environmental and food safety supervision and green pesticide designing.

Keywords: neonicotinoid insecticides; food chain; exposure level; human health impact; environmental risk assessment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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