Neonicotinoid exposure in the U.S. general population

摘要

Background: Neonicotinoids are agricultural insecticides, also used for flea control in household pets. Neonicotinoids have become popular replacements for other insecticides (e.g., organophosphates, carbamates), and use may be on the rise. Methods: We measured urinary concentrations of six neonicotinoid biomarkers: acetamiprid, clothianidin, imidacloprid, thiacloprid, N-desmethyl-acetamiprid, and 5-hydroxy-imidacloprid in 3,038 samples from participants 3 years and older from the 2015-2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. We calculated distribution percentiles and used regression models to evaluate associations of various demographic parameters with urinary concentrations above the 95th percentile (a value that represents higher than average concentrations) of neonicotinoid biomarkers. Results: The weighted detection frequencies were 35% (N-desmethyl-acetamiprid), 19.7% (5-hydroxy imidacloprid), 7.7% (clothianidin), 4.3% (imidacloprid), and <0.5% (acetamiprid and thiacloprid). Median and 95th percentile concentrations were <0.40-1.37 ug/L (5-hydroxy imidacloprid), <0.20—1.29 ug/L (N-desmethyl-acetamiprid), and <0.20-0.396 ug/L (clothianidin). Children 3-5 year old who fasted <8 hours were more likely to have N-desmethyl-acetamiprid concentrations above the 95th percentile than adolescents (adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 3.12; 95% confidence interval [CI], (0.98-9.98) and adults (OR = 4.29; 95% CI, (2.04-9.0)). Asians were two times more likely than non-Asians to have concentrations above the 95th percentile of N-desmethyl-acetamiprid and 5-hydroxy-imidacloprid (OR = 1.94; 95% CI, (1.08-3.49) and 2.25; 95% CI, (1.44-3.51)), respectively. The probabilities of having N-desmethyl-acetamiprid and 5-hydroxy-imidacloprid concentrations above the 95th percentile in the summer were 1.55 and 2.43 times higher than in winter, respectively. Conclusions: These data suggest human exposure to select neonicotinoids in the U.S. general population 3 years of age and older. Furthermore, metabolites appear to be better biomarkers of background exposure than the parent compounds themselves. Compared to others, young children and Asians may experience higher exposures although reasons for such differences remain unknown.