Environmental and Human Health Hazards from Chlorpyrifos, Pymetrozine and Avermectin Application in China under a Climate Change Scenario: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

Chlorpyrifos has been used extensively for decades to control crop pests and disease-transmitting insects; its contribution to increasing food security and minimizing the spread of diseases has been well documented. Pymetrozine and Avermectin (also known as abamectin) have been used to replace the toxic organophosphate insecticides (e.g., Chlorpyrifos) applied to rice crops in China, where the overuse of pesticides has occurred. In addition, climate change has exacerbated pesticide use and pollution. Thus, farmers and communities are at risk of exposure to pesticide pollution. This study reviews the contamination, exposure, and health risks through environmental and biological monitoring of the legacy pesticide Chlorpyrifos and currently used insecticides Pymetrozine and Avermectin in China; it investigates whether changes in pesticide usage from Chlorpyrifos to Pymetrozine and Avermectin reduce pesticide contamination and health hazards to communities and residents. In addition, this review discusses whether Pymetrozine and Avermectin applications could be recommended in other countries where farmers largely use Chlorpyrifos and are exposed to high health risks under climate change scenarios. Although Chlorpyrifos is now banned in China, farmers and residents exposed to Chlorpyrifos are still experiencing adverse health effects. Local farmers still consider Chlorpyrifos an effective pesticide and continue to use it illegally in some areas. As a result, the concentration levels of Chlorpyrifos still exceed risk-based thresholds, and the occurrence of Chlorpyrifos with high toxicity in multiple environmental routes causes serious health effects owing to its long-term and wide application. The bioaccumulation of the currently used insecticides Pymetrozine and Avermectin in the environment is unlikely. Pymetrozine and Avermectin used in paddy water and soil for crop growth do not pose a significant hazard to public health. A change in pesticide use from Chlorpyrifos to Pymetrozine and Avermectin can reduce the pesticide contamination of the environment and health hazards to communities and residents. Finally, we recommend Pymetrozine and Avermectin in other countries, such as Vietnam, and countries in Africa, such as Ghana, where farmers still largely use Chlorpyrifos.

Decontamination of Chlorpyrifos Residue in Soil by Using Mentha piperita (Lamiales: Lamiaceae) for Phytoremediation and Two Bacterial Strains

“…The alleged toxicity of this substance to human beings is purportedly associated with a range of clinical symptoms, including brain dysfunction, endocrine disturbance, and cardiovascular illness [ 4 ]. Moreover, the half-life (t 1/2 ) of CPF and its products in soil shows that they are persistent; depending on the soil conditions, deterioration typically takes 111 to 350 days [ 5 ]. It exhibits moderate toxicity, with low water solubility (0.73 mg/L at 25 °C) and high soil absorption (organic carbon partition coefficient log K oc = 3.78 l/kg) [ 6 ].…”

Preparation and Property Characterization of Eu2SmSbO7/ZnBiEuO4 Heterojunction Photocatalysts and Photocatalytic Degradation of Chlorpyrifos under Visible Light Irradiation

“…Chlorpyrifos, as one of the classical organophosphorus pesticides, has been widely used due to its low cost and effective ability to control pests, weeds, and diseases [12][13][14][15]. However, the disadvantages of chlorpyrifos are also obvious; for example, chlorpyrifos is an organic pollutant that is difficult to degrade; at the same time, chlorpyrifos also affects the neurological system, leading to various diseases [16][17][18][19][20]. Moreover, chlorpyrifos has adverse effects on the development of the brain and body, especially for children [21,22].…”