Genotoxic effects of two different classes of insecticide in developing chick embryos

Pesticides provide considerable protection against pest population; however, rampant accumulation of these chemicals into varied habitats across the globe necessitates the need for a careful screening of each chemical due to toxic manifestations. In the current study, the genotoxic potential of two different classes of commercial insecticides – chlorpyrifos and cypermethrin combination and Spinosad, a naturalyte were compared. Rhode Island Red chick embryos were exposed to different doses of either of these insecticides individually, by in ovo treatment. Genotoxicity was then evaluated through micronucleus (MN) test and Comet assay. The combination insecticide exposure at low doses of 0.05 and 0.1 μg/egg induced DNA damage as evidenced by an increased tail moment in the Comet assay. Further, the presence of micronucleated erythrocytes and also various abnormal cells including dacryocytes, microcytes, erythroplastids, squashed/notched nuclei, and spindle-shaped erythrocytes in the blood smear consolidates indicate the presence of insecticide-induced genotoxicity. Spinosad, however, was found only mildly genotoxic but at a high dose of 1.5 mg/egg. The results indicate that usage of naturalyte insecticide may be a better option to minimize the harmful effects of chemical insecticides.     

Modelling effects of chemical exposure on birds wintering in agricultural landscapes: The western burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia hypugaea) as a case study

We describe an ecotoxicological model that simulates the sublethal and lethal effects of chronic, low-level, chemical exposure on birds wintering in agricultural landscapes. Previous models estimating the impact on wildlife of chemicals used in agro-ecosystems typically have not included the variety of pathways, including both dermal and oral, by which individuals are exposed. The present model contains four submodels simulating (1) foraging behavior of individual birds, (2) chemical applications to crops, (3) transfers of chemicals among soil, insects, and small mammals, and (4) transfers of chemicals to birds via ingestion and dermal exposure. We demonstrate use of the model by simulating the impacts of a variety of commonly used herbicides, insecticides, growth regulators, and defoliants on western burrowing owls (Athene cunicularia hypugaea) that winter in agricultural landscapes in southern Texas, United States. The model generated reasonable movement patterns for each chemical through soil, water, insects, and rodents, as well as into the owl via consumption and dermal absorption. Sensitivity analysis suggested model predictions were sensitive to uncertainty associated with estimates of chemical half-lives in birds, soil, and prey, sensitive to parameters associated with estimating dermal exposure, and relatively insensitive to uncertainty associated with details of chemical application procedures (timing of application, amount of drift). Nonetheless, the general trends in chemical accumulations and the relative impacts of the various chemicals were robust to these parameter changes. Simulation results suggested that insecticides posed a greater potential risk to owls of both sublethal and lethal effects than do herbicides, defoliants, and growth regulators under crop scenarios typical of southern Texas, and that use of multiple indicators, or endpoints provided a more accurate assessment of risk due to agricultural chemical exposure. The model should prove useful in helping prioritize the chemicals and transfer pathways targeted in future studies and also, as these new data become available, in assessing the relative danger to other birds of exposure to different types of agricultural chemicals.     

Induction of micronuclei in bone marrow cells and hepatotoxicity of one of the most common over-the-counter pyrethroid insecticide products in Nigeria

Increasing environmental pollution in the tropics is creating a breeding ground for mosquitoes, leading to increasingly frequent use of insecticides to combat home infestation of mosquitoes, the vector of malarial parasites. Household members are therefore more prone to aerosol exposure and subsequent health effects. We assessed the hepatotoxic and clastogenic effects in rats exposed to different levels of aerosols of one of the insecticides most commonly in used in Nigeria. There were significant (p?2 in the groups of rats exposed to the aerosols when compared with the control group. In addition, rats exposed to the insecticide aerosols have elevated activities of serum enzymes: γ-glutamyl transferase, aspartate amino transferase and alanine amino transferase, as well as number of micronuclei scored in the bone marrow, at levels that are significantly (p?相似文献   

氟虫双酰胺对蚯蚓的生化毒性与细胞毒性研究

双酰胺类杀虫剂已成为全世界第4大类最常用的杀虫剂,具有非常广阔的应用前景。然而,目前关于双酰胺类杀虫剂生态毒性评估方面的研究还比较少。为探究双酰胺类杀虫剂对非靶标生物的毒性作用,选取赤子爱胜蚓(Eisenia fetida)为受试生物,研究了典型双酰胺类杀虫剂氟虫双酰胺对非靶标动物蚯蚓的生化毒性和细胞毒性以及其在人工土和蚯蚓体内的浓度变化情况。结果表明,氟虫双酰胺在人工土壤中十分稳定,在整个暴露期间氟虫双酰胺的浓度变化不超过20%。氟虫双酰胺在蚯蚓体内的含量随染毒浓度的升高和暴露时间的推移而增加,呈明显的时间和剂量-效应关系;在染毒浓度为0.1和1.0 mg·kg-1的处理组中,氟虫双酰胺未对蚯蚓产生明显的氧化胁迫效应。在染毒浓度为5.0和10.0 mg·kg-1的处理组中,蚯蚓体内活性氧(ROS)含量显著高于其他处理组,过量的ROS诱导蚯蚓体内各种抗氧化酶活性发生异常变化,并在蚯蚓体内造成了脂质过氧化、蛋白质羰基化和DNA损伤。研究表明,当土壤中氟虫双酰胺的浓度为5.0和10.0 mg·kg-1时可能会对蚯蚓产生很高的风险。此外,彗星实验对氟虫双酰胺诱导的氧化胁迫较为敏感,可以作为敏感生物标志物对氟虫双酰胺造成的土壤污染进行预警。     

9种杀虫剂对中华大刀螂幼虫的毒性

螳螂是田间控制害虫种群增加的重要捕食性天敌之一。以中华大刀螂3龄幼虫(Paratenodera sinensis Saussure)为受试生物,利用9种常用杀虫剂配制成不同浓度梯度的药剂,通过喷雾法直接暴露,分别测定了LC50和死亡率来评价不同杀虫剂对中华大刀螂毒性和危害程度的影响。结果显示,9种杀虫剂对中华大刀螂幼虫的毒性(LC50值)差异很大,用药后24h的LC50在0.7182～347.7962mg·L-1之间,LC95在8.8057～1734.5650mg·L-1之间;用药后48h的LC50在0.3564～193.6887mg·L-1之间,LC95在3.8958～1548.3258mg·L-1之间;用药后72h的LC50在0.2232～115.3391mg·L-1之间,LC95在1.7730～530.6462mg·L-1之间。不同杀虫剂对中华大刀螂幼虫的毒性差异最高达到543.46倍。毒性大小依次为,高效氯氟氰菊酯﹥啶虫脒﹥联苯菊酯﹥毒死蜱﹥噻虫嗪﹥茚虫威﹥吡虫啉﹥阿维菌素﹥苏云金杆菌原粉(Bt)。根据田间推荐浓度处理的死亡率判断,毒死蜱、联苯菊酯、啶虫脒、高效氯氟氰菊酯为有害水平,Bt为中度有害水平,吡虫啉、茚虫威、噻虫嗪为微害水平,阿维菌素接近无害水平。根据LC50与田间推荐浓度的比值判断,阿维菌素、吡虫啉对螳螂种群数量不会产生太大影响;Bt、茚虫威和噻虫嗪对螳螂种群数量会产生一定危害;而毒死蜱、啶虫脒、联苯菊酯和高效氯氟氰菊酯将严重影响螳螂种群数量的稳定性。在24～72h范围内,不同杀虫剂LC50和LC95随施药时间的延长而降低,说明暴露时间越长毒性越大,危害程度也越大。建议在中华大刀螂生活范围内减少高效氯氟氰菊酯、联苯菊酯、啶虫脒和毒死蜱的施用,推荐杀虫剂田间使用量时,除考虑对防治对象的防效,还应考虑对天敌种群的危害,提高药剂使用安全性,保护天敌种群的稳定性。     

Risk-based prediction of metal toxicity in sediment and impact on human health due to consumption of seafood (Saccostrea cucullata) found in two highly industrialised coastal estuarine regions of Eastern India: a food safety issue

Estuarine ecosystems of the Bay of Bengal, India, are considered as the most productive environment, which have been persistently threatened by substantial anthropogenic activity. This study aims to investigate the metal contamination in the sediment of two estuaries and possible biomagnifications in the indigenous edible oyster Saccostrea cucullata and related health hazards due to its consumption. The accumulative ecological risks indicated that the sediment is moderate to strongly contaminated with cadmium and lead. The sediment pollution index and pollution load index suggested that the sediment possesses a little ecological stress on the exposed flora and fauna. The statistical interpretation highlights the most metals which have a similar source of origin and are bound to the finer fractions of the sediment, except nickel. Bioaccumulation of sediment-associated Cu and Zn in oyster reflects their potential biomagnifications through aquatic food chain. HPI range was below the critical limit of safe human consumption. The non-carcinogenic (THQ) and carcinogenic (CR) health hazards were estimated from the PTDI provided by USEPA. Except Cr, Hg and Zn, the THQ of all other metals was > 1 suggesting detrimental non-carcinogenic health effects on humans. The TCR of Cr and Cd above safety limit indicates the exposed population might be under severe carcinogenic threat due to those metals.

     

Maternal transfer of mercury to the developing embryo/fetus: is there a safe level?

Mercury (Hg) exposure is ubiquitous in modern society via vaccines, fish/crustacea, dental amalgam, food, water, and the atmosphere. This article examines Hg exposure in the context of primary exposure to pregnant women and secondary exposure experienced by their unborn babies. Babies in utero are particularly at risk of higher Hg exposure than adults (on a dose/weight basis through maternal Hg transfer via the placenta), and are more susceptible to adverse effects from mercury and its biologically active compounds. It is, therefore, critical that regulatory advisories around maximum safe Hg exposures account for pregnant women and secondary exposure that children in utero experience. This study focused on standardized embryonic and fetal Hg exposures via primary exposure to the pregnant mother of two common Hg sources (dietary fish and parenteral vaccines). Data demonstrated that Hg exposures, particularly during the first trimester of pregnancy, at well-established dose/weight ratios produced severe damage to humans including death. In light of research suggestive of a mercuric risk factor for childhood conditions such as tic disorders, cerebral palsy, and autism, it is essential that Hg advisories account for secondary prenatal human exposures.     

邻苯二甲酸二乙基己酯(DEHP)污染及其毒性研究进展

邻苯二甲酸二乙基己酯(DEHP)作为重要的增塑剂被广泛应用于涂料、食品包装、医疗器材、儿童玩具等产品中。研究表明DEHP在水、土壤、空气等各个环境要素以及食物、饮用水中已被普遍检出,并对环境产生潜在的危害。本文通过分析国内外DEHP的环境暴露和毒性效应的研究成果,总结了DEHP在室外大气、室内空气、土壤、地表水、地下水、食品和饮用水中的污染现状,并对DEHP的替代产品进行总结;此外,本文深入探讨了DEHP对水生生物和陆生生物的生态毒性效应,以及对生殖发育、肝脏、呼吸系统和神经系统等的健康毒性效应。最后,结合DEHP在环境暴露调查和毒性效应研究方面的不足,指出需要进一步加强我国DEHP的环境暴露调查,制定相关环境基准值与标准限值,开展慢性生态毒性效应和人体健康毒性效应等方面的研究。     

Exposure to insecticides in the use of cold fog generators in greenhouses

The exposure of greenhouse workers to deltamethrin and dichlorvos was studied when low‐volume misters (LVM) were used for the application of these insecticides. Exposure to deltamethrin was mainly by skin contamination and the level of exposure was low. Exposure to dichlorvos was clearly higher than to deltamethrin both through skin and inhalation. These two insecticides are different from chemical structure and character dichlorvos being a highly volatile chemical. The re‐entry period for deltamethrin was calculated to be about ten hours and for dichlorvos two or three days.     

Directional change in a suite of foraging behaviors in tropical and temperate evolved honey bees (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Apis mellifera</Emphasis> L.)

The concept of a suite of foraging behaviors was introduced as a set of traits showing associative directional change as a characterization of adaptive evolution. I report how naturally selected differential sucrose response thresholds directionally affected a suite of honey bee foraging behaviors. Africanized and European honey bees were tested for their proboscis extension response thresholds to ascending sucrose concentrations, reared in common European colonies and, captured returning from their earliest observed foraging flight. Race constrained sucrose response threshold such that Africanized bees had significantly lower sucrose response thresholds. A Cox proportional hazards regression model of honey bee race and sucrose response threshold indicated that Africanized bees were 29% (P<0.01) more at risk to forage over the 30-day experimental period. Sucrose response threshold organized age of first foraging such that each unit decrease in sucrose response threshold increased risk to forage by 14.3% (P<0.0001). Africanized bees were more likely to return as pollen and water foragers than European foragers. Africanized foragers returned with nectar that was significantly less concentrated than European foragers. A comparative analysis of artificial and naturally selected populations with differential sucrose response thresholds and the common suite of directional change in foraging behaviors is discussed. A suite of foraging behaviors changed with a change in sucrose response threshold that appeared as a product of functional ecological adaptation.Communicated by R.F.A. Moritz     

Smoke alleviates adverse effects induced by stress on rice

Smoke and salinity are environmental hazards. Smoke produced DNA damage, inflammatory, and oxidative stress in humans while salinity reduced plant yield. However, smoke from plants is beneficial towards plant growth. In this study, smoke of two plants, Buhania varegata (1:1000 and 1:5000 dilutions (v/v)) and Cymbopogon jwarancusa (1:500 and 1:1000), were used to determine effects on different physiological and biochemical parameters in rice Basmati-385 (B-385) and Shaheen Basmati under different saline concentrations (control: 50, 100, and 150 mM). With increasing salinity, germination%, seedling growth, K⁺, Ca⁺, cell membrane stability, and total nitrogen and protein contents were decreased while Na⁺ content increased. However, seeds primed with different dilution of smoke significantly diminished the adverse effects of salinity and shown to produce positive responses in all of the above parameters. The most effective dilutions were 1:5000 for Buhania varegata and C-500 for Cymbopogon jwarancusa. It seems that priming with plant smoke solution is a potent stimulant for plant growth exerting a significant role in physiology and biochemistry of rice plants under saline condition.     

新烟碱类农药在我国的登记现状及对蜜蜂的初级风险评估

调研已开发的包括吡虫啉、噻虫嗪、噻虫胺、啶虫脒、噻虫啉、呋虫胺、烯啶虫胺、环氧虫啶、氯噻啉、哌虫啶和氟啶虫胺腈在内的11种新烟碱类农药在我国的登记现状。根据已登记的新烟碱农药的使用方法,开展了不同暴露场景下蜜蜂的初级风险评估。结果表明,喷施场景下,吡虫啉、噻虫嗪、噻虫胺、烯啶虫胺、呋虫胺、氟啶虫胺腈和氯噻啉这7种新烟碱类农药在不同作物上使用对蜜蜂的风险商值均大于1,风险均不可接受;啶虫脒、哌虫啶和噻虫啉在所有登记作物上使用对蜜蜂的风险商值均小于1,风险可接受。土壤或种子处理场景下,除噻虫啉外,其余4种新烟碱类农药包括吡虫啉、噻虫胺、噻虫嗪和呋虫胺对蜜蜂的风险商值均大于1,风险均不可接受。评估结果可为新烟碱类农药在我国的登记管理提供科学参考。     

7种农药对管氏肿腿蜂的毒性及初级风险评价

为评估农药对寄生类自然天敌昆虫的安全性,选择管氏肿腿蜂(Scleroderma guani Xiao et Wu)作为受试生物,采用管测药膜法测定了3种杀虫剂、2种除草剂、2种杀菌剂对其致死效应,并根据田间推荐剂量计算暴露量,采用风险商值HQ对杀虫剂进行风险评估。结果显示,与空白对照比较,3种杀虫剂均具明显毒性作用,其中丁硫克百威、吡虫啉和呋虫胺对管氏肿腿蜂的24 h半致死量(24 h-LR50)分别为5.11、2.92和0.06 g a.i.·ha-1,农田内风险商值分别为60.23、16.64和3 105。除草剂和杀菌剂在3倍最大田间推荐剂量作用下,24 h管氏肿腿蜂死亡率均小于50%。上述结果表明,在田间推荐用量下,3种杀虫剂对管氏肿腿蜂的初级风险评价为存在高风险,建议进一步开展高级阶段风险评估或者采取合理的风险管理措施来降低风险;除草剂和杀菌剂对管氏肿腿蜂的风险可接受。     

Pathogen-associated self-medication behavior in the honeybee Apis mellifera

Honeybees, Apis mellifera, have several prophylactic disease defense strategies, including the foraging of antibiotic, antifungal, and antiviral compounds of plant products. Hence, honey and pollen contain many compounds that prevent fungal and bacterial growth and inhibit viral replication. Since these compounds are also fed to the larvae by nurse bees, they play a central role for colony health inside the hive. Here, we show that honeybee nurse bees, infected with the microsporidian gut parasite Nosema ceranae, show different preferences for various types of honeys in a simultaneous choice test. Infected workers preferred honeys with a higher antibiotic activity that reduced the microsporidian infection after the consumption of the honey. Since nurse bees feed not only the larvae but also other colony members, this behavior might be a highly adaptive form of therapeutic medication at both the individual and the colony level.     

A Screening-Level Assessment of Lead, Cadmium, and Zinc in Fish and Crayfish from Northeastern Oklahoma, USA

The objective of this study was to evaluate potential human and ecological risks associated with metals in fish and crayfish from mining in the Tri-States Mining District (TSMD). Crayfish (Orconectes spp.) and fish of six frequently consumed species (common carp, Cyprinus carpio; channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus; flathead catfish, Pylodictis olivaris; largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides; spotted bass, M. punctulatus; and white crappie, Pomoxis annularis) were collected in 2001--2002 from the Oklahoma waters of the Spring River (SR) and Neosho River (NR), which drain the TSMD. Samples from a mining-contaminated site in eastern Missouri and from reference sites were also analyzed. Individual fish were prepared for human consumption in the manner used locally by Native Americans (headed, eviscerated, and scaled) and analyzed for lead, cadmium, and zinc. Whole crayfish were analyzed as composite samples of 5--60 animals. Metals concentrations were typically higher in samples from sites most heavily affected by mining and lowest in reference samples. Within the TSMD, most metals concentrations were higher at sites on the SR than on the NR and were typically highest in common carp and crayfish than in other taxa. Higher concentrations and greater risk were associated with fish and crayfish from heavily contaminated SR tributaries than the SR or NR mainstems. Based on the results of this and previous studies, the human consumption of carp and crayfish could be restricted based on current criteria for lead, cadmium, and zinc, and the consumption of channel catfish could be restricted due to lead. Metals concentrations were uniformly low in Micropterus spp. and crappie and would not warrant restriction, however. Some risk to carnivorous avian wildlife from lead and zinc in TSMD fish and invertebrates was also indicated, as was risk to the fish themselves. Overall, the wildlife assessment is consistent with previously reported biological effects attributed to metals from the TSMD. The results demonstrate the potential for adverse effects in fish, wildlife, and humans and indicate that further investigation of human health and ecological risks, to include additional exposure pathways and endpoints, is warranted.This study was conducted by the Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC) of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and cooperating organizations and government agencies. All field and laboratory procedures conformed to the “Guidelines for the use of fishes in research” of the American Fisheries Society (AFS), Institute of Fishery Research Biologists (AIFRB), and American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists (ASIH) Use of Fishes in Research Committee (AFS, AIFRB, and ASIH 2004), and with all USGS and CERC guidelines for the humane treatment of test organisms during culture and experimentation. Use of trade names does not constitute USGS or U.S. government endorsement.     

Toxicological evaluation of entomotoxic silica nanoparticle

Pest management researchers currently reappraise the use of inert dust-based insecticides because of the growing problem of environmental pollution and increasing insect resistance associated with conventional insecticides. Diatomaceous earth, which is amorphous micron-sized silica derived from fossilized phytoplankton, has become popular as an alternative insecticidal agent in European countries. In this investigation the insecticidal efficacy of amorphous lipophilic silica nanoparticle was examined on red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum), a stored grain insect pest. The biosafety of this silica nanoparticle formulation was studied in MRC-5 cell line with water-soluble tetrazolium and lactate dehydrogenase activity assays. Acute oral toxicity of these nanocides was studied in mice model following OECD guidelines for testing of chemicals as well as the effects of particle exposure on mouse blood parameters, serum biochemical levels, and histopathological changes in various organs.     

Environmental public health tracking: piloting methods for surveillance of environmentally related diseases in England and Wales

An effective environmental public health tracking system integrates data and intelligence on environmental hazards, exposures, and health outcomes to focus interventions on reducing the impact of environmental contamination on public health. Most work in this area in the UK has focused on assessing data on hazards that are relatively easy to obtain. However, most hazards will present no actual risk and information on exposure is required to make an effective risk assessment. Obtaining exposure data is technically challenging, expensive, and potentially raises ethical concerns. Consequently, the Health Protection Agency is exploring methods for targeting geographical zones for efficient detailed environmental assessment (including exposure assessment). This paper describes and assesses three methods (indirect standardization, statistical process control (SPC) and kernel density contouring) for the surveillance of potentially environmentally related diseases for this purpose. While the evaluation demonstrates the utility of the three methods, particularly SPC, the comparison was limited due to ethical approval issues.     

Dioxin levels in the breast milk and estradiol and androgen levels in the saliva of Vietnamese primiparae

Human exposure to polychlorinated dibenzodioxins (PCDD) and dibenzofurans (PCDF), especially 2,3,7,8 tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), was investigated in Vietnam since initial severe adverse health effects were reported in the late 1970s. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of dioxin exposure on steroid hormones of primiparae in an Agent Orange/dioxin hot-spot and a non-exposed area in Vietnam. Sixteen primiparae (8 at each site), all of whom were aged between 20 and 30 years with infants aged between 4 and 16 weeks, agreed to participate in this study. The mean dioxin levels in breast milk of primiparae from the hot-spot area, in terms of PCDD, PCDF, and PCDD?+?PCDF toxic equivalents (TEQ), were significantly higher than those for the non-exposed area. PCDD TEQ, PCDF TEQ, and PCDD?+?PCDF TEQ levels showed a significant correlation with dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), androstenedione (A-dione), and estradiol (E2) in the saliva of primiparae in a combination of hot-spot and non-exposed areas in Vietnam. The dose–response curve between salivary E2 or A-dione levels and dioxin levels was U-shaped in humans. This study provides an overview of studies regarding dioxin hot-spots and effects on human health and steroid hormone levels in particular, with a focus on the toxicity attributed to dioxins and furans. Furthermore, causal evidence regarding the effects of dioxins on endocrine disruption in humans is provided.     

Auswirkungen nanotechnologischer Entwicklungen auf die Umwelt

Background

Nanotechnology is about discovering, developing and using materials consisting in their primary stage at a size within the low nanometer range. These ultrafine particles offer new properties and opportunities. Even if the synthesis of nanoparticles has been discovered not until during the last decades, the exposure of humans to ultrafine particles occurred long before, due to the generation of ultrafine particles in ambient air during combustion processing.

Aim

Within this review, only engineered nanoparticles are considered, because these technical products are associated with many hopes for new applications, while only little information is available about their potential adverse effects. At workpiaces, during manufacturing, in technical applications or in drugs, nanoparticles will always have ‘side effects’ which have carefully to be weighed against their advantages, before they can be released in the environment. Therefore, information about their safety and potential hazards is urgently needed.

Results and Discussion

Along with the technical development of nanoparticles, a public discussion has started, leading to extensive investigations on possible negative ‘side effects’ on human health. Research activities have been strengthened in departments for environmental toxicology, hygiene institutes and other academic facilities to identify hazard and risks during handling and use of these new materials. On the other hand, nanotechnology offers the promise to prematurely identify environmental problems through improved detection and monitoring capabilities, and significantly reduced environmental effects from cleaner manufacturing and synthesis approaches, which results in a reduction or elimination of wastes as well as reduced energy use, and unique remediation solutions as well as pollution strategies.

Conclusions

However, the potential impact of manufactured nanomaterials used in various applications also needs to be evaluated in the context of human health with regard to potential toxicology and routes of exposure, environmental effects, including fate, transport, transformation, bio-availability, and bio-accumulation, and an analysis of product-life cycle.     

农药暴露的机制模型：蜜蜂毒理学的重要缺失

杀虫剂在最近的蜜蜂数量减少中所扮演的角色是有争议的,部分原因是实地研究常常无法检测到实验室研究所预测的效果。这种不一致性突出了蜜蜂毒理学研究领域的一个关键空白：对蜜蜂在它们的环境中杀虫剂暴露的模式和过程知之甚少。本文作者提出蜜蜂暴露杀虫剂的2个关键过程：1)工蜂采集花蜜的过程中收集农药;2)工蜂带回的农药在蜂巢中的再分配。工蜂收集农药的过程必须被理解为环境污染和蜜蜂觅食活动之间的时空交集。这意味着农药暴露是分配的,而不是离散的,觅食工蜂的一个子集可能会获得有害剂量的农药,而群体暴露将会显得安全。蜂箱中农药的分布是一个复杂的过程,主要是由群体成员之间食物转移的相互作用而产生,而这一过程中花粉和花蜜之间有重要的区别。因此应该优先将关于蜜蜂生物学的大量文献用于发展更严谨的蜂蜜农药暴露机制模型。与效应机制模型结合,暴露机制模型具有整合蜜蜂毒理学领域的潜力,以促进风险评估和基础研究。
精选自Sponsler, D. B. and Johnson, R. M. (2017), Mechanistic modeling of pesticide exposure: The missing keystone of honey bee toxicology. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 36: 871–881. doi: 10.1002/etc.3661
详情请见http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/etc.3661/full