Levels and inhalation health risk of neonicotinoid insecticides in fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in urban and rural areas of China

Ying Zhou; Junyu Guo; Zikuan Wang; Boya Zhang; Zhe Sun; Xiao Yun; Jianbo Zhang

Environment International (Sep 2020)

Levels and inhalation health risk of neonicotinoid insecticides in fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in urban and rural areas of China

Ying Zhou,
Junyu Guo,
Zikuan Wang,
Boya Zhang,
Zhe Sun,
Xiao Yun,
Jianbo Zhang

Affiliations

Ying Zhou: State Key Joint Laboratory for Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
Junyu Guo: State Key Joint Laboratory for Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; Corresponding authors.
Zikuan Wang: Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
Boya Zhang: State Key Joint Laboratory for Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Centre for Atmospheric Science, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK; College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, Sino-French Institute for Earth System Science, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
Zhe Sun: State Key Joint Laboratory for Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Centre for Atmospheric Science, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK; College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, Sino-French Institute for Earth System Science, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
Xiao Yun: State Key Joint Laboratory for Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Centre for Atmospheric Science, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK; College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, Sino-French Institute for Earth System Science, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
Jianbo Zhang: State Key Joint Laboratory for Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; Corresponding authors.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 142
p. 105822

Abstract

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Neonicotinoid insecticide (NEO) concentrations in ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and daily exposure via inhalation were investigated during spring and fall in an urban area in Beijing and in urban and rural areas of Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China. Four NEOs, including imidacloprid, acetamiprid, thiamethoxam and clothianidin, were assessed using a QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, safe) extraction procedure coupled to liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Of 64 PM2.5 samples, 100% contained at least two NEOs (imidacloprid and acetamiprid). Imidacloprid was detected at the highest levels, ranging from 4.33 to 1.13 × 102 pg m−3. A relative potency factor method that considered different toxicities was used to integrate the four NEO concentrations. The total NEO concentrations in air in the Zhengzhou rural area (mean: 80.86 pg m−3) were higher than those in urban areas. Differences between seasons were not significant (p > 0.05). The highest value for the total average daily dose via inhalation of four NEOs (ADDinh,total), 91.0 pg kg−1 day−1, was found in rural children <6 years old. The ADDinh,total of rural residents was significantly higher than that of urban residents when there was no intensive pesticide application. Although the ADDinh,total values were below the current chronic reference dose, when possible joint toxicity and the increasing use of NEOs are considered, a potential health risk via inhalation is evident. We believe this study is the first to characterize NEO levels in fine particulate matter and to evaluate inhalation exposure in urban and rural residents under nonoccupational scenarios in China. It will enhance our understanding of exposure to NEOs and provide a basis for risk management decisions.

Published in Environment International

ISSN: 0160-4120 (Print)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Geography. Anthropology. Recreation: Environmental sciences
Website: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/environment-international

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