Temporal Trends and Generation-Specific Shifts in Urinary Neonicotinoid Exposure in Southern China (2018-2024)

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Toxicology
• Public Health

Background:

• Neonicotinoid insecticides are widely used globally, but long-term human exposure trends are not well understood.
• Generational turnover and market expansion of these chemicals necessitate monitoring internal exposure levels.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize temporal trends in urinary neonicotinoid exposure in Guangzhou, China, from 2018 to 2024.
• To investigate the association between age, sex, and neonicotinoid exposure levels.

Main Methods:

• Repeated cross-sectional biomonitoring of 3077 participants.
• Quantification of urinary concentrations of first-, second-, and third-generation neonicotinoids and their metabolites.

Main Results:

• Significant upward trends observed for thiacloprid, imidacloprid, acetamiprid, thiamethoxam, clothianidin, and dinotefuran.
• Third-generation dinotefuran showed the most rapid increase (95.1% annually).
• Age was a significant factor, with most neonicotinoids increasing with age until middle adulthood, then declining.

Conclusions:

• Urinary exposure to newer-generation neonicotinoids is increasing in southern China.
• Age and sex influence neonicotinoid exposure patterns.
• Findings underscore the importance of long-term health risk assessment for neonicotinoids.