You are using an outdated browser. For a faster, safer browsing experience, upgrade for free today.

Forecasting the risk of combined effect of avermectin and neonicotinoid insecticides on workers

Forecasting the risk of combined effect of avermectin and neonicotinoid insecticides on workers

ISSN 2223-6775 Ukrainian journal of occupational health Vol.17, No 3, 2021


https://doi.org/10.33573/ujoh2021.03.151

Forecasting the risk of combined effect of avermectin and neonicotinoid insecticides on workers

T.A. Yastrub, D.A. Dontsova
State Institution “Kundiiev Institute of Occupational Health of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine”, Kyiv


 Full article (PDF)

Introduction. To prevent the development of mechanisms of resistance and increase the biological effectiveness of pesticides in plant protection systems, there is a tendency to increase the number of complex mixtures of pesticides formulations containing two or more active substances, which increases the probability of their dangerous effects on workers. Therefore, the identification of potential and real dangers of combined pesticides is an actual task of preventive toxicology and occupational health.

Purpose of the study − forecasting the risk of occupational combined effect of emamectin benzoate and acetamiprid when applying a mixed composition based on them to protect sunflower and corn crops.

Materials and methods. Expert-analytical study of scientific information on the toxicological properties of emamectin benzoate and acetamiprid, methods of toxicological experiment on laboratory animals, predictive model of risk assessment, Finney's method to account for the combined effects of pesticides on workers.

Results. On the example of a mixed pesticide composition based on the insecticides emamectin benzoate (chemical class of compounds - avermectins) and acetamiprid (chemical class of compounds - neonicotinoids) it was found that the combined impact of these substances is characterized by a pronounced potentiation effect. The potentiation factor, which for a specific mixture of these substances is 3.12, was taken into account in the hazard identification using the predictive model of risk assessment. It was found that the risk of total inhalation exposure exceeded the persmissible level, which indicates the need for appropriate management decisions.

Conclusion. The prospect of creating combinations of active substances in pesticide formulations carries the threat of possible manifestations of potentiation as one of the most dangerous types of combined effects on the body. The need to take into account the potentiation factors in the study of working conditions using combined drugs based on active substances with a similar focus of toxic effects was substantiated. It will increase the accuracy and reliability of occupational risk assessment and promote the development of measures aiming at preventing harmful effects of pesticides on workers.

Key words: mixed insecticide, emamectin benzoate, acetamiprid, toxicological and hygienic assessment, forecasting combined risk.

References

  1. Anderson and Meade. (2014), "Potential Health Effects Associated with Dermal Exposure to Occupational Chemicals", Environmental Health Insights, 8(S1), 51-62. https://doi.org/10.4137/EHI.S15258
  2. Kundiiev, Yu. I. and Nahorna, A. M. (2006), Occupational health in Ukraine. Epidemiological analysis, Avicena, Kyiv, Ukraine, 316 p.
  3. Nahorna, A. M., Varyvonchyk, D. V.,Sokolova M.P. and Kononova, I. G. (2019), "Epidemiological research and development of occupational diseases prevention programs among employees", in Naukovi zdobutky z medytsyny pratsi. Istoriia ta suchasnist [Scientific achievements in occupational health. History and modernity], Trakhtenberg I. M. and Chernyuk V. I. (Ed.), Avicena, Kyiv, Ukraine, PP. 166 - 221
  4. Vavrinevych, O. P. (2015), "Hygienic estimation of potential combined risk of mixed fungicide harmful effects on workers", Ukrainian Journal of Occupational Health, 1(42), 58-66 https://doi.org/10.33573/ujoh2015.01.058
  5. Martin A.D. (1990), "A predictive model for the assessment of dermal exposure to pesticides", in Prediction of Percutaneous Penetration. Methods, Measurements, Modelling, Scott R.C., Guy R.H., Hadgraft J. (Ed.), IBC Technical Services Ltd, Southampton, Hampshine, UK, 273-278.
  6. European Food Safety Authority (2012)," Conclusion on the peer review of the pesticide risk assessment of the active substance emamectin", EFSA Journal. 10(11):2955, p.89. https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2012.2955
  7. European Food Safety Authority (2016), "Conclusion on the peer review of the pesticide risk assessment of the active substance acetamiprid", EFSA Journal, 14(11):4610, P.26. https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2016.4610
  8. Emamectin benzoate (2010). Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessment. Final Report. URL:https://www.fs.fed.us/foresthealth/pesticide/pdfs/052-23-03b_Emamectin-benzoate.pdf. (date of application: 25.08.2021).
  9. Pesticide residues in food (2011). Joint FAO/WHO Meeting on Pesticide Residues. Evaluation 2011. Part II - Toxicology. Acetamiprid. PP. 3-92.