Search Results (91)

Pesticides remain among the most significant threats to biodiversity and natural ecosystems. Non-invasive methods, such as the analysis of bird faeces, have shown great potential for detecting pesticide exposure. In this study with a new approach, we analysed faecal sacs from nestlings of Blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus) and Great tits (Parus major) to gain deeper insights into pesticide contamination during the breeding period. Samples were collected from three distinct sites near Münster, Germany. In total, we detected 65 substances from 57 different pesticides, as well as caffeine, with pesticides present in 16.07% of the 168 samples. Concentrations varied between species and sites and were higher for fungicides and insecticides in nests located closer to agricultural fields. While no direct effects on reproductive success were found, our results underscore the potential of faecal sac analysis as a valuable tool for spatially resolved pesticide monitoring. The novel, non-invasive approach to pesticide monitoring offers crucial exposure data on juvenile birds during their sensitive breeding period. Full article

Environmental pesticide exposure has been linked to adverse health effects, and residential proximity to agricultural land is commonly used as a proxy for exposure; however, the contribution of non-agricultural biomes remains insufficiently explored. This study examined whether the proximity and area of different biomes are associated with the detection of selected pesticides in human urine in Latvia. Urine samples were collected from 202 participants (101 adults and 101 children) within the Human Biomonitoring for Europe (HBM4EU) study during the winter and summer seasons of 2020. A suspect screening approach using liquid chromatography–high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) was applied and 23 pesticides were detected (8 insecticides, 12 fungicides, 2 herbicides and triclosan, an antimicrobial ingredient used in cleaning agents). Geospatial data were analysed in Quantum Geographic Information System (QGIS) to derive biome proximity and area within a 1000 m residential buffer; associations were assessed using generalized linear mixed-effects models. Agricultural land was present within 1000 m of 93.1% of residences, yet neither its distance nor area was consistently associated with pesticide detection. Boscalid was detected in 18.4% of samples and was positively associated with wetland area across seasons (p < 0.001), while fludioxonil (14.7%) showed weak and heterogeneous spatial associations and pirimiphos-methyl (10.2%) showed no significant patterns. Overall, pesticide exposure was substance-specific and influenced by landscape characteristics beyond agricultural proximity, highlighting the need to integrate non-agricultural biomes into human biomonitoring in low-intensity pesticide-use settings. Full article

Over the last 15 years, mixture risk assessment for food xenobiotics has evolved from conceptual discussions and simple screening tools, such as the Hazard Index (HI), towards operational, component-based and probabilistic frameworks embedded in major food-safety institutions. This review synthesizes methodological and regulatory advances in cumulative risk assessment for dietary “cocktails” of pesticides, contaminants and other xenobiotics, with a specific focus on food-relevant exposure scenarios. At the toxicological level, the field is now anchored in concentration/dose addition as the default model for similarly acting chemicals, supported by extensive experimental evidence that most environmental mixtures behave approximately dose-additively at low effect levels. Building on this paradigm, a portfolio of quantitative metrics has been developed to operationalize component-based mixture assessment: HI as a conservative screening anchor; Relative Potency Factors (RPF) and Toxic Equivalents (TEQ) to express doses within cumulative assessment groups; the Maximum Cumulative Ratio (MCR) to diagnose whether risk is dominated by one or several components; and the combined Margin of Exposure (MOET) as a point-of-departure-based integrator that avoids compounding uncertainty factors. Regulatory frameworks developed by EFSA, the U.S. EPA and FAO/WHO converge on tiered assessment schemes, biologically informed grouping of chemicals and dose addition as the default model for similarly acting substances, while differing in scope, data infrastructure and legal embedding. Implementation in food safety critically depends on robust exposure data streams. Total Diet Studies provide population-level, “as eaten” exposure estimates through harmonized food-list construction, home-style preparation and composite sampling, and are increasingly combined with conventional monitoring. In parallel, human biomonitoring quantifies internal exposure to diet-related xenobiotics such as PFAS, phthalates, bisphenols and mycotoxins, embedding mixture assessment within a dietary-exposome perspective. Across these developments, structured uncertainty analysis and decision-oriented communication have become indispensable. By integrating advances in toxicology, exposure science and regulatory practice, this review outlines a coherent, tiered and uncertainty-aware framework for assessing real-world dietary mixtures of xenobiotics, and identifies priorities for future work, including mechanistically and data-driven grouping strategies, expanded use of physiologically based pharmacokinetic modelling and refined mixture-sensitive indicators to support public-health decision-making. Full article

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a frequent pregnancy pathology with poor maternal and fetal outcomes and risk of type 2 diabetes in later life. Despite known risk factors, such as obesity, age, and familial history, new data suggest that environmental exposure to agents, such as pesticides, can play a role in the etiogenesis of GDM. Objective: The epidemiologic, experimental, and mechanistic evidence between pesticide exposure and GDM risk is summarized here, and we concentrate on recent research (2000–2025). Methods: We conducted a literature search in PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library for studies published from January 2000 to December 2025 using combinations of the terms “fertilizers”, “herbicides”, and “pesticides” with “diabetes mellitus” and “gestational diabetes”. After deduplication, 12 unique studies met inclusion criteria for qualitative synthesis (GDM endpoint or pregnancy glycemia with pesticide exposure). Results: Occupational and agricultural exposure to pesticides during first pregnancy was determined to be associated with a significantly increased risk of GDM through various epidemiologic studies. New studies have implicated new classes of pesticides, including pyrethroids and neonicotinoids, with higher GDM risk with first-trimester exposure. Experimental studies suggest that pesticides provide potential endocrine-disrupting chemicals that can induce insulin resistance through disruption of hormonal signaling, oxidative stress, inflammation, β-cell toxicity, and epigenetic modifications. However, significant limitations exist. Most of the evidence is observational, measurement of exposure is often indirect, and confounding factors are difficult to exclude. Notably, low dietary and residential exposure is not well studied, and dose–response relationships are undefined. Conclusions: New data indicate that pesticide exposure during early pregnancy and occupational exposure may increase the risk of GDM. Prospective cohort studies using biomonitoring, chemical mixture exposure, and geographic variation in pesticide exposure should be the focus of future research. Due to potential public health implications, preventive strategies to ensure the quality of nutrition and to reduce maternal exposure to pesticides during pregnancy are rational. Full article

Background: Viticulture in Southern Brazil heavily relies on fungicides, such as Mancozeb, to manage fungal diseases. Increasing concern has emerged regarding the chronic health effects of Mancozeb exposure among vineyard workers, particularly its potential to induce oxidative stress and genotoxicity. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between July and November 2023 involving 94 participants: 50 vineyard workers occupationally exposed to Mancozeb and 44 organic farmers with no history of pesticide exposure, who served as the control group. Eligible participants were aged 18 years or older, and exposed individuals had at least 5 years of documented Mancozeb use. Data on demographics, health status, occupational history, and use of personal protective equipment (PPE) were collected through structured interviews. Blood and urine samples were analyzed to determine hematological and biochemical parameters, oxidative stress biomarkers, genotoxicity (via comet assay and micronucleus test), and urinary ethylene thiourea (ETU), the primary metabolite of Mancozeb. Results: Workers exposed to Mancozeb exhibited significantly elevated levels of oxidative stress markers (p < 0.001) and DNA damage in both genotoxicity assays (p < 0.001). Urinary ETU concentrations were also markedly elevated, and a threshold of 69.3 ng/mL was identified as a discriminative marker of exposure. Conclusions: This study offers a novel contribution by proposing a specific biological exposure limit for ETU concentrations, derived from ROC curve analysis, representing a significant advancement in occupational health. The findings underscore the urgent need for regulatory biological exposure limits and the implementation of effective preventive strategies. Full article

Pesticides play a critical role in food production by enhancing crop yields and protecting against pests and pathogens, such as insects, bacteria, fungi, and weeds. However, their extensive use raises significant environmental concerns. The paper reviews and describes the reported adverse effects of pesticides on terrestrial and marine life to raise awareness of the ecological impact of pesticide use across life niches. The adverse effects on soil microorganisms, arthropods, reptiles, and amphibians highlight the extensive ecological disruption caused by these chemicals. Understanding the mechanisms of pesticide toxicity and their impact on various organisms is crucial for developing effective bioremediation techniques and on-field management practices. By implementing these strategies and enhancing environmental biomonitoring, countries can mitigate the harmful effects of pesticides, ultimately protecting biodiversity and ensuring the health of their ecosystems. Full article

Occupational exposure to soil-borne pesticides remains a critical safety and process-management challenge in industrial and agro-industrial settings. This work proposes a process-integrated analytical workflow that couples comparative instrumental identification of soil xenobiotics with an occupational risk assessment framework. We comparatively evaluate GC-MS (gas chromatography–mass spectrometry), HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography), FTIR (Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy), LC-MS/MS (Liquid Chromatography coupled with tandem Mass Spectrometry), and ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry) against matrix complexity, sensitivity, cost, and throughput, and implement the Quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, safe (QuEChERS) method-based sample preparation followed by GC-MS and LC-MS/MS to demonstrate applicability on representative soil and food-chain samples. Complementary risk tools (toxicity–probability matrices, exposure pathway diagrams) and an integrated monitoring scheme that combines environmental data with biomonitoring are used to link concentrations to exposure potential and control priorities. In a soil case sample, low-level organochlorines were detected with total DDT at 0.010 mg/kg and total HCH at 0.003 mg/kg, illustrating how analytical outputs feed decision matrices for prioritizing interventions. Case analyses from agricultural and industrial contexts indicate that targeted substitution, optimized application, ventilation and dust control, PPE (personal protective equipment) adherence, and worker training can measurably reduce symptoms and biomarkers of exposure. Overall, a complementary, process-analytical approach—integrating sensitive multi-technique detection with exposure assessment and continuous monitoring—supports proactive risk management and aligns with process systems and monitoring themes. Recommendations include standardizing workflows, coupling routine environmental monitoring with biomonitoring where feasible, and embedding preventive policies and training into industrial management systems. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study evaluated associations between urinary 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3-PBA), a metabolite of pyrethroids, and cardiometabolic indicators in a nationally representative sample of Korean adults using data from the 2nd Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS 2012–2014). Methods: Urinary 3-PBA concentrations were creatinine-adjusted; participants with urinary creatinine < 0.3 or > 3.0 g/L were excluded. Associations with triglycerides, BMI, HDL cholesterol, TSH, and T4 were analyzed using non-parametric tests and multiple regression, with additional verification through log-transformed variables and multiple-comparison control. Results: Urinary 3-PBA levels were higher in females, increased with age, and were elevated among rural residents and frequent pesticide users. Triglycerides and TSH showed positive associations with 3-PBA, whereas T4 showed a negative association. BMI displayed a weak negative correlation without consistent significance, and HDL cholesterol was not statistically significant. In multiple regression models, triglycerides, TSH, and T4 remained significantly associated with urinary 3-PBA. Conclusions: Statistically significant associations were observed between urinary 3-PBA concentrations and several cardiometabolic indicators, including triglycerides, TSH, and T4, in Korean adults. These findings suggest that even low-level environmental exposure to pyrethroids may influence lipid metabolism and thyroid function. Given the cross-sectional design and the short biological half-life of 3-PBA, the results should be interpreted as associations rather than causation, highlighting the need for longitudinal studies and continued biomonitoring. Full article

As chemical exposures are increasingly emphasised as public health concerns, understanding how people perceive chemical risks is vital for shaping responsive and inclusive human biomonitoring (HBM) programmes. Public awareness not only influences individual behaviours but can also inform national policy priorities and scientific focus. This study reports findings from the Human Biomonitoring for Ireland (HBM4IRE) feasibility study, which conducted a social survey adapted from the HBM4EU framework. The survey assessed awareness and perceived harmfulness of 24 chemical groups among 218 Irish residents, distinguishing between experts (involved in chemical management) and non-experts. Lead, arsenic, mercury, pesticides, tobacco alkaloids, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), solvents, cadmium, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and persistent organic pollutants (POPs) received the highest perceived harmfulness scores. Non-experts reported lower perceived harmfulness for substances such as phthalates, parabens, and Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), indicating significant awareness gaps. These findings demonstrate convergence between public and expert views for well-recognised substances but also highlight gaps for certain emerging chemicals. This study highlights the importance of targeted, country-specific education campaigns and shows the added value of integrating public perceptions into HBM design and priority setting. Full article

Stingless bee cerumen is a mixture of wax and plant resins. Foragers of stingless bees are exposed to various chemical contaminants during their plant visits and collection activities. These contaminants have the potential to be transferred into the nest. This study aimed to elucidate the existence of chemical contaminants in Ecuadorian cerumen. To this end, the following aims were established: (i) to determine and quantify glyphosate (GLY), aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA), some other pesticides, metals and metalloids in cerumen and (ii) to establish possible risks associated with the presence of these chemical contaminants to the health of stingless bees and humans. The quantification of chemical contaminants was conducted using gas chromatography (GC), liquid chromatography (LC), and ion chromatography (IC) coupled to mass spectrometry (MS). Glyphosate (0.02–0.2 mg/kg) and AMPA (0.028 mg/kg) were detected in four of the pooled samples (n = 14) from the northern and southern highland regions. Other pesticide traces were not detected in any cerumen samples. Metals (Cd, Cr, Pb, Ni, Sn) and metalloids (As, Sb, Se) were found in all samples, including highlands and the lower Amazon. The potential risks of exposure to glyphosate and AMPA for stingless bees and humans appear to be minimal (except for the specific conditions given for Tetragonisca angustula) and safe, respectively. It seems that cerumen may serve as an effective biomonitoring matrix for assessing the environmental health of stingless bee nests. Establishing guidelines and regulations for the safe use and handling of products derived from the stingless bee consumption is therefore imperative. Full article

People are exposed to pesticides daily through food, drinking water, and the environment, both in urban and rural settings. These chemicals, while offering economic and agricultural benefits through pest control and increased productivity, may pose a growing risk to human health and ecosystem biodiversity. While the European regulatory framework offers a robust foundation for risk assessment, significant limitations persist, especially in addressing cumulative exposure, low-dose effects, and chemical mixtures. This review focuses on selected scientific and regulatory challenges by reviewing recent European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) conclusions, Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) test guidelines updates, and current European legislative approaches. Particular attention is given to the regulation of endocrine-disrupting and reprotoxic substances, highlighting progress and remaining gaps in implementation. A brief mention will also be made of immuno-toxic substances, for which no specific hazard class has yet been established. Building on official reports and peer-reviewed literature, this review provides a structured evaluation of the scientific and regulatory landscape, including underexplored issues like the transition to animal-free toxicology and integration of biomonitoring with health data. The goal is to propose realistic, evidence-based improvements to current frameworks using integrated, interdisciplinary approaches that connect toxicology, policy, and implementation science. A shift to a holistic, systems-based, and precautionary paradigm is vital to address emerging challenges and ensure strong protection of health and environment, as well as supporting the needs of the agricultural sector. Full article

Male reproductive health is increasingly threatened by endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), which interfere with hormonal homeostasis and reproductive physiology. Rising rates of male infertility have been linked to greater exposure to pollutants such as heavy metals, phthalates, pesticides, and bisphenol A. These compounds act through multiple mechanisms, including oxidative stress, apoptosis, receptor-mediated disruption of estrogenic and androgenic signaling, alterations in the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal (HPG) axis, and heritable epigenetic changes. Such disruptions impair key outcomes like sperm concentration, motility, morphology, DNA integrity, and steroidogenesis. Evidence from animal studies and human epidemiology consistently demonstrates these harmful effects, with biomarkers of EDC exposure correlating with reduced semen quality, hormonal imbalances, and infertility. Beyond individual health, infertility linked to EDCs carries significant social and economic costs. This review evaluates regulatory frameworks, highlights methodological challenges in risk assessment, and synthesizes mechanistic and clinical evidence. Particular attention is given to unresolved issues such as non-monotonic dose responses, mixture effects, low-dose exposures, and transgenerational impacts. Future priorities include refining biomonitoring, addressing mixture risks, and strengthening international regulation. By integrating mechanistic, clinical, and policy insights, this review underscores the urgent need for strategies to mitigate EDC-related threats to male reproductive health. Full article

The complexity of human exposure to surrounding chemicals warrants developing analytical methods that are capable of the simultaneous quantitation of many diverse environmental pollutants and their biomarkers for the needs of human biomonitoring (HBM). Examples include pesticides used in veterinary medicine, such as fipronil (FIP), imidacloprid and pyrethroids, as well as other chemicals, like bisphenols and flame retardants. The goal of this paper was to develop and validate a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for the quantification of selected organic contaminants in human urine. The method was then applied to real samples and used to assess the potential of a new FIP biomarker, fipronil-hydroxy (FIP-OH), for HBM. As a sample preparation protocol, enzymatic deconjugation followed by solid phase extraction were used. The method was successfully developed and validated for 16 organic pollutants and/or their metabolites, with lower limits of quantitation ranging from 0.5 to 2000 pg/mL. FIP-OH could not be included in the method, possibly due to its chemical instability. In an application study among pet owners, the detection rate for FIP was 71% (median: 3.32 pg/mL); several other chemicals were also commonly detected. The results of validation and application experiments confirm that the method can be used in HBM studies to quantify organic pollutants in urine. Full article

Pesticides are used in agriculture to protect crops from disease. Among these, the herbicide glyphosate, the insecticide deltamethrin, and the fungicides propamocarb and tebuconazole are approved for use in Europe. These pesticides, along with their metabolites, have been detected in the environment including in food and water sources. Human biomonitoring studies have confirmed the presence of these compounds in biological samples, indicating persistent exposure even among the general population, unrelated to agricultural occupations. Consequently, numerous studies have investigated the health effects of these four pesticides and their metabolites. This review focuses on their impacts on gut health primarily the gut microbiota, inflammation, metabolism, cancer and gut–brain axis. Epidemiological studies were included to assess health risks among various groups including adults, children and pregnant women. Animal and in vitro models have been employed to explore in a more controlled and targeted way the physiological and biochemical effects observed in epidemiological studies. Despite some controversy, pesticides and their metabolites have been linked to gut dysbiosis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), metabolic disorders, cancer and neurodevelopmental disorders. Mechanistically, these pesticides influence gut microbiome composition, sugar and lipid metabolism, oxidative stress, inflammatory pathways, cell death, oncogenic signalling pathways, endocrine disruption, and epigenetics. However, further studies are needed to confirm these risks and health impacts, particularly concerning low-dose, long-term exposure as experienced by the general population. A comprehensive investigation of these effects is essential, incorporating dietary factors, age, sex, health status, and the cumulative impact of multiple pesticides, to develop a thorough risk assessment. Full article

Human milk has been used for over 70 years to monitor pollutants such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs). Despite the growing body of data, our understanding of the pollutant exposome, particularly co-exposure patterns and their interactions, remains limited. Artificial intelligence (AI) offers considerable potential to enhance biomonitoring efforts through advanced data modelling, yet its application to pollutant dynamics in complex biological matrices such as human milk remains underutilized. This study applied an AI-based framework, integrating machine learning, metaheuristic hyperparameter optimization, explainable AI, and postprocessing, to analyze PCB-170 levels in breast milk samples from 186 mothers in Zadar, Croatia. Among 24 analyzed POPs, the most influential predictors of PCB-170 concentrations were hexa- and hepta-chlorinated PCBs (PCB-180, -153, and -138), alongside p,p’-DDE. Maternal age and other POPs exhibited negligible global influence. SHAP-based interaction analysis revealed pronounced co-behavior among highly chlorinated congeners, especially PCB-138–PCB-153, PCB-138–PCB-180, and PCB-180–PCB-153. These findings highlight the importance of examining pollutant interactions rather than individual contributions alone. They also advocate for the revision of current monitoring strategies to prioritize multi-pollutant assessment and focus on toxicologically relevant PCB groups, improving risk evaluation in real-world exposure scenarios. Full article