EFSA: Neonicotinoid Insecticides May Affect Developing Human Nervous System

18 Dec 2013 --- Two neonicotinoid insecticides - acetamiprid and imidacloprid - may affect the developing human nervous system, said the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Experts from the Authority propose that some guidance levels for acceptable exposure to the two neonicotinoids be lowered while further research is carried out to provide more reliable data on so-called developmental neurotoxicity (DNT).

EFSA’s Panel on Plant Protection Products and their Residues (PPR) calls for the definition of criteria at EU level to trigger submission of mandatory DNT studies as part of the pesticide authorisation process. This could include the development of a comprehensive testing strategy to evaluate the DNT-potential of substances, including all neonicotinoids.

EFSA has delivered its scientific opinion at the request of the European Commission by considering recent research by Kimura-Kuroda[1] and existing data on the potential of acetamiprid and imidacloprid to damage the developing human nervous system - in particular the brain.

The PPR Panel found that acetamiprid and imidacloprid may adversely affect the development of neurons and brain structures associated with functions such as learning and memory. It concluded that some current guidance levels for acceptable exposure to acetamiprid and imidacloprid may not be protective enough to safeguard against developmental neurotoxicity and should be reduced. These so-called toxicological reference values provide clear guidance on the level of a substance that consumers can be exposed to in the short- and long-term without an appreciable health risk. Examples include the acute reference dose (ARfD), the acceptable daily intake (ADI) and the acceptable operator exposure level (AOEL). (See Notes to editors for more detail on how these reference values are designed to protect consumers and operators.)

Based on its review, EFSA proposes changes to the following toxicological reference values for acetamiprid and imidacloprid:

• For acetamiprid – the current ADI and AOEL of 0.07 mg/kg bw/per day and the ARfD of 0.1 mg/kg bw should be lowered to 0.025 mg/kg bw (per day);
• For imidacloprid, the current AOEL and ARfD of 0.08mg/kg/bw/day should be lowered to 0.06 mg/kg bw/per day. The current ADI for imidacloprid is considered to provide adequate protection against potential developmental neurotoxic effects.

EFSA recognises the available evidence has limitations and recommends further research be carried out to provide more robust data. However, the PPR Panel said health concerns raised in the review of the existing data are legitimate. EFSA therefore supports the establishment of clear and consistent criteria to trigger the mandatory submission of DNT studies as part of the authorisation process in the EU. This could include the development of an integrated DNT testing strategy consisting of a stepped approach that uses laboratory tests on cells (so-called in vitro) in the first instance and progresses to tests on animals (in vivo) if the initial results raise concerns over the DNT-potential of a substance. The PPR Panel advises that all neonicotinoid substances be evaluated as part of this testing strategy.

Scientists have developed a range of toxicological reference values designed to set guidance levels for acceptable exposure to a substance in food. They are expressed by body weight, usually in milligrams (of the substance) per kilogram of body weight, and per day in the case of repeated exposure.

• Acute reference dose (ARfD) - the estimated level of a substance that can be ingested over a short time - usually one day – without an appreciable health risk.
• Acceptable daily intake (ADI) - the amount of a specific substance in food or drinking water that can be ingested daily over a lifetime without an appreciable health risk.
• Acceptable operator exposure level (AOEL) the maximum amount of an active substance to which a worker or ‘operator’ may be exposed by all routes without any adverse health effects.