Neonicotinoids Persisting in the Sea Pose a Potential Chronic Risk to Marine Organisms: A Case from Xiangshan Bay, China (2015-2019).

Neonicotinoid insecticides (neonics) are extensively employed in agriculture and pervade various environmental matrices. However, few studies have documented the occurrence and potential chronic ecological risks of these chemicals in the marine environment. We collected 720 seawater samples from Xiangshan Bay during 2015-2019 and the integrated concentrations of seven neonics were determined using the relative potency factor method. Trend analyses using the Mann-Kendall test in time series, along with the estimation of the flux of neonics into the sea, were conducted. At last, the ecological risk of neonics was evaluated by water quality criteria derivation based on species sensitivity distribution. Our findings revealed that 47.6% of samples contained at least one neonic, with the integrated concentration of neonics ranging from 63.30 to 1684.14 ng/L. Imidacloprid and dinotefuran exhibited the highest frequency of detection in the analysis. The significance level of the Mann-Kendall test ranged from 2.16 × 10-10 to 1.21 × 10-5 (S > 0), indicating all neonics behaved with sharply increasing trends. Approximately 8.47 × 10-2 tons of neonics were discharged into Xiangshan Bay. Notably, the integrated concentrations of neonics represented a potential chronic ecological risk to marine organisms. This study provided novel insights into the spatial distribution, source, and migration of neonic species and their impacts on marine ecosystems.

Development of QuEChERS coupled with UHPLC-MS/MS for simultaneous determination of eight neonicotinoid pesticides in breast milk.

A speedy and hypersensitive method was built to detect eight neonicotinoid insecticides (neonics) in breast milk by ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). The breast milk was extracted with a mixture of acetonitrile and water and purified with primary secondary amine (PSA) and C18. The recovery of the method ranged from 74.3 to 105.9% with relative standard deviations (RSDs) of less than 10%, and the limit of detection ranged from 0.05 to 0.18 ng/mL. Among 32 samples obtained from women 1 month postpartum, thiamethoxam and imidacloprid were the most frequently detected neonics. Moreover, thiacloprid and imidaclothiz were not detected in any samples. The concentrations of neonics in breast milk ranged from 1.90 to 149.95 ng/mL. Considering the toxic effects on mammals and even humans, infants who are exposed to neonics through ingestion of breast milk should receive extensive attention in future studies.

Occurrence, distribution and potential risk to infants of neonicotinoids in breast milk: A case study in Hangzhou, China.

The pervasive use of neonicotinoid insecticides (neonics) has led to increasing concerns regarding the potential health risks associated with them. Breast milk is the main food source of infants, and thus, the presence of chemicals in breast milk has a greater impact on infant health. However, there have only been few reports regarding the presence of neonics in breast milk. Herein, eight neonics were detected in breast milk samples using ultraperformance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and their Pearson correlation was analyzed. The potential health risks of neonics to infants were assessed using the relative potency factor (RPF) method. The results revealed that neonics were widely detected in the breast milk samples from Hangzhou, with at least one neonics being detected in >94 % of the breast milk samples. The most frequently detected neonics included thiamethoxam (70.8 %) followed by imidacloprid (IMI) (62.0 %) and clothianidin (46.0 %). The residual concentrations of neonics in the breast milk samples ranged from

The partitioning and distribution of neonicotinoid insecticides in human blood.

The burden of neonicotinoid insecticides (neonics) in humans has attracted widespread attention in recent years due to the potential adverse effects. Nonetheless, information on the partitioning behavior and distribution in human blood is still limited. Herein, we obtained 115 adult whole blood and plasma specimens for analysis of eight neonics to better understand neonics' partitioning and distribution in human blood. At least one neonic was detected in 49.6% of the red blood cells and 55.7% of the plasma. In red blood cells, the highest detection rate and concentration was thiamethoxam (THI) with 19.1% and 3832 ng/L, respectively. Imidacloprid had the highest detection rate with 26.1% in the plasma. The mass fraction (Fp) of neonics detected indicates that thiacloprid, imidacloprid, and dinotefuran are mostly resided in plasma upon entering into human blood, while thiamethoxam is mostly present in red blood cells. The distribution of clothianidin and acetamiprid between plasma and red blood cells is similar. The mass fraction (Fp) values for THI were significantly different compared to other neonics, and the effect of age and gender on THI partitioning concluded that there may not be significant variability in the distribution of THI in the sampled population. Overall, this study was the first to investigate neonics residuals in red blood cells and provided fundamental information on the partitioning and distribution of neonics in human blood.

The integrated exposure assessment and potential risks of five organophosphorus pesticides in vegetables in Zhejiang, China (2018-2020).

This research surveyed the concentrations of five organophosphorus pesticides (OPs) in vegetables with the purpose of assessing the potential integrated health risks of residents. From 2018 to 2020, 870 samples of eight kinds of vegetables from Zhejiang Province were collected. Gas chromatography coupled with a flame photometric detector (GC-FPD) analyzed the five OPs. OPs were most frequently detected in celery (18.9% of samples), cowpeas (18.3% of samples), and leeks (16.9% of samples) compared to other vegetables. Among the 11 cities in Zhejiang, the cities with high detection rates of OPs were Ningbo and Hangzhou. The integrated concentrations of OPs in different cities ranged from 71.9 to 376 µg/kg. The cumulative risk assessment revealed that the estimated daily intake (EDI) of leek in Wenzhou was the highest, which was 0.0077 (mg/kg bw) and 0.0059 (mg/kg bw) in adults and children respectively. The health risks of residents who consume these vegetables were within a safe range. The data provided demonstrate the distribution and potential health hazards of OPs in commonly consumed vegetables.

Integrated exposure assessment and potential risks of neonicotinoids in vegetables from three different sources in Zhejiang, China (2018-2020).

Dietary exposure is the primary route of human exposure to neonicotinoids (neonics), and vegetables are essential foods in people's daily diet. However, the residues and potential health risks of neonics in vegetables from different sources have not been well examined. In this study, we collected 1588 samples of vegetables from organic vegetable bases, farmer's markets, and supermarkets in Zhejiang, China. Three frequently used neonics, acetamiprid, imidacloprid, and thiamethoxam, were selected and analyzed. We investigated the residue, temporal and spatial distribution, and potential health risks. Cowpea was detected with the highest mean imidacloprid-equivalent total neonics (IMIRPF) by value of 655 µg/kg. Vegetable samples from farmer's markets were detected with the highest mean IMIRPF by value of 168 µg/kg, followed by supermarkets (134 µg/kg) and the lowest in organic vegetable bases (76.9 µg/kg). The outcomes of integrated risk assessment for dietary intake of those three neonics in vegetables were all within the safety.

The Characteristics and Potential Risks of Neonicotinoid Residues in Soils of Different Types of Land Use in Hangzhou.

Due to the wide existence of neonicotinoid insecticides (neonics) and their potential impact on ecosystems and human health, they have received special attention in recent years. Soil is not only a sink of neonics but also a source of neonics, so it plays a key role in the ubiquity of neonics in the environment. The purpose of this research was to compare neonics residues in soils of different types of land use and estimate their exposure to different populations via ingestion. A total of 130 soil samples from six different types were collected. The concentrations of seven neonics in soil were simultaneous determined using isotope-dilution ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The results showed that at least one neonic was analyzed in all samples. The highest average concentration was 3.42 ng/g (clothianidin), followed by 3.39 ng/g (thiamethoxam), 3.06 ng/g (acetamiprid), 2.84 ng/g (imidacloprid), 2.66 ng/g (nitenpyram), 2.43 ng/g (thiacloprid), and 1.89 ng/g (dinotefuran). IMI and ACE were the most commonly found neonics in soil. The neonic levels in different soils varied significantly. The integrated neonic residue in cropland was much higher than that in other types of land. The risk assessment revealed that the average daily dose (ADD) through ingestion contact with soil was acceptable to children and adults. With the increasing evidence that neonics could cause a variety of toxic effects on mammals and humans, ingestion exposure caused by neonics in soil should also receive continuous attention in future studies.

Organophosphate flame retardants in Hangzhou tap water system: Occurrence, distribution, and exposure risk assessment.

The usage of Organophosphorus flame retardants (OPFRs) is gradually increased as the ban on brominated flame retardants (BFRs) worldwide. The frequent accessibility of OPFRs in aquatic environment poses potential risk to human. Previous studies have concerned on surface water, while studies on tap water are limited. In this research, we aim to evaluate the removal efficiency of the tap water treatment process and investigate the exposure risk of OPFRs in tap water. Herein, we collected 14 samples from water source, 10 samples from water treatment plants and 47 from tap to analyze the concentrations and removal efficiency of OPFRs in Hangzhou tap water supply system. The results showed the concentrations of ∑OPFRs ranged from 9.25 to 224.74 ng/L in all samples, with Tris(1-chloro-2-propyl) Phosphate (TCPP), Tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP), Triphenyl phosphate (TPHP), and Tributyl phosphate (TBP) being the predominant compounds. Levels of the OPFRs had a 10.0 % - 50.4 % declination when compared samples after treatment with that before. The maximum exposure doses of ∑OPFRs via tap water for both adults and children were much lower than the reference dose (RfD). As a result, the hazard index (HI) and the carcinogenic risk (CR) pinpointed a negligible non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risk for the residents. Even so, given the pervasive usage of OPFRs, the residual levels and the potential risk of OPFRs in watershed should be continuously concerned.

Residual characteristics and potential integrated risk assessment of synthetic pyrethroids in leafy vegetables from Zhejiang in China - Based on a 3-year investigation.

Leafy vegetables have high nutritional value and are very popular in China. However, the long-term variation in residues and integrated risks of synthetic pyrethroids (SPs) in these vegetables have not been well examined. In this study, a total of 1005 samples were collected from 55 markets during 2017-2019. The cumulative exposure to nine kinds of SPs in Zhejiang, China, through the consumption of nine leafy vegetables was analyzed, and the potential integrated risk was assessed by the relative potency factor. A total of 191 samples were detected with SPs residues. The most frequently detected SPs were λ-cyhalothrin and cypermethrin. The integrated risk assessment results revealed that the dietary risk for these SPs via leafy vegetable exposure is acceptable for children, adults and elderly individuals. The data provided here will be helpful for the government to formulate food policies in China.

The distributions of three fungicides in vegetables and their potential health risks in Zhejiang, China: A 3-year study (2015-2017).

Fungicides have been extensively used around the world in agriculture due to their effectiveness of sterilization. Recent evidences have shown that fungicides would exert a negative effect on gut microbiota and result in gut microbiota dysbiosis and metabolism disorder on non-target organisms and even humans. However, research on residues and potential health risks of fungicides in daily consumed vegetables has received less attention compared to insecticides. In this study, we studied three widely applied fungicides, procymidone, dimethomorph, and azoxystrobin, in China. We collected 551 samples of 10 different vegetables in 11 cities from Zhejiang province during 2015-2017. Three fungicides were analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The average apparent recoveries of three fungicides ranged from 84.2% to 110% with the relative standard deviations lower than 10%. The LOD values of procymidone, dimethomorph, and azoxystrobin was 2, 0.09, and 1 µg/kg, respectively. The levels of procymidone, dimethomorph, and azoxystrobin in those vegetables ranged from ND-875, ND-238, and ND-76 µg/kg, respectively. The highest mean concentrations of procymidone, dimethomorph, and azoxystrobin were found in eggplant (68 µg/kg), spinach (16.4 µg/kg), and kidney bean (4 µg/kg), respectively. Tomato (62.6% of samples), eggplant (44.3% of samples), and cucumber (41.6% of samples) were most frequently detected with fungicides. Solanaceous fruit vegetables have the highest detection rate than other vegetables, and fungicides were most frequently detected in winter. The mean concentrations of three fungicides in different vegetables were all below the maximum residue limits for the national food safety standards of China, and the health risks resulting from consuming those vegetables in adults and children were all within the safe ranges. The data provided here clarify the distributions of fungicides in commonly consumed vegetables and their potential health risks.

Residual characteristics and potential health risk assessment of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in seafood and surface sediments from Xiangshan Bay, China (2011-2016).

Xiangshan Bay provides most of the seafood for residents from the southeast coast of China. However, information on the safety of local seafood was not well known. In this study, we investigated the residue, spatial distribution and potential health risks of ten polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in seafood and surface sediment samples during six years (2011-2016). The results indicated the level of PCBs in 9 types of seafood from Xiangshan Bay ranged between ND and 25.3 ng·g-1. The highest average concentration of PCBs (14.2 ng·g-1) was observed in Ostreidae. The average PCB concentrations in the surface sediments was 1.58 ng·g-1 (ND to 15.2 ng·g-1). The biota-sediment accumulation factors of the PCBs in most seafood indicated that the seafood was readily subjected to the bioaccumulation of PCBs from sediments. The carcinogenic risks were all within the safe ranges of 9 types of seafood for adults.