Two New Papers Reveal Startling Human Health Risks from Neonicotinoid Pesticides

I recently coauthored two articles on the acute and chronic human health risks from neonicotinoid pesticides. The papers compiled data obtained from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and showed that there are significant health risks associated with neonicotinoid (neonic) pesticides, particularly for children and pregnant women.
These widely used insecticides are known to target the nervous system by mimicking nicotine. However, their persistence in the environment, especially when used on crops, means that they accumulate in soil, water, and food, contaminating drinking water and everyday produce.
The two papers, titled “Human acute poisoning incidents associated with neonicotinoid pesticides in the U.S. Incident Data System (IDS) database from 2018–2022—frequency and severity show public health risks, regulatory failures” and “Neonicotinoid pesticides: evidence of developmental neurotoxicity from regulatory rodent studies,” highlight how the risks of exposure are especially concerning for infants and children, who can ingest neonics through contaminated food, water, and even breast milk.
EPA data reveals hundreds of human poisonings, some fatal, due to neonic exposure, yet the agency has failed to implement adequate protective measures, such as considering all available data or applying necessary safety factors to protect children.
NRDC has been actively working to limit neonic use, securing state-level policy victories and advocating for stricter regulations. Despite some progress, comprehensive national action is needed to reduce the impact of neonics on both human health and the environment.
The growing body of evidence underscores the urgency of addressing the toxic effects of neonics to protect public health, wildlife, and the environment.
Here are some key actions you can take:
- Buy organic: Reduce pesticide exposure by choosing organic foods.
- Avoid neonic products: Don’t use products containing neonics in your yard or on pets.
- Support policy change: Advocate for stronger restrictions on neonic use at the state and federal levels.
NRDC is fighting for targeted policies to restrict neonic use that will not only protect people but also protect wildlife. Neonics have made U.S. agriculture almost 50 times more harmful to insects, including critical pollinators like bees, than it was 25 years ago when neonic use ramped up. The EPA predicted that, if continued, unchecked neonic use will likely push more than 200 threatened and endangered species toward extinction (see the EPA’s 2023 report).
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