Please note that this is an on-going project.
Project Description
Currently, one of the most used insecticides for rice crops in China is pymetrozine {4, 5-dihydro-6-methyl-4-[(3-pyridylmethylene)-amino]-1, 2, 4-triazine-3(2H)-one}. Pymetrozine has recently replaced toxic organophosphate pesticides in China. Because of its relatively recent introduction, there are limited studies on the behaviour of pymetrozine in the environment. There has been virtually no report pertaining to the residue levels and persistence of pymetrozine in typical rice-growing areas in China. On the other hand, USEPA classifies pymetrozine as a possible human carcinogen. Thus, it is important to fully understand the environmental behaviour of pymetrozine in a rice ecosystem. This project has focused on the studies of environmental behaviour and residues of pymetrozine, as well as human health risk assessment in both constructed plots and two typical rice-growing areas of Gungxi and Hunan Provinces in China studies. This study fills the knowledge gaps as regarding pymetrozine contamination in the environment and their health risks in typical rice-growing ecosystems. It also evaluates the human health risks related to exposure to pesticides for future climate change scenarios.
Project Personnel and Beneficiaries
The project involves researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Griffith University. The studies are necessarily to understand the natural dynamics and residues of pymetrozine in the rice ecosystems. The outcomes will help guide the development of pesticide application programs and safety policies in the future. Also, the study provided scientific information for policy makers to set the proper pesticide application techniques and methods to minimize the pesticide exposure relating to health effects for communities.
Outcomes to Date
Using data from the plot and field studies, the natural dynamics of pymetrozine in rice ecosystems, as well as the residual levels and human exposure potentials and health risks under controlled and filed conditions have been quantified. The outcomes have been reported in high impact journals
(Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.113230). (Environmental Science and Pollution Research, https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11356-022-19927-z)
(Toxics 2022, 10(6), 335; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10060335)
(Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(3), 1112; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18031112)
Project Significance
Pesticides play a critical role in agriculture by reducing diseases, insect pest and weeds to improve crop yields worldwide. Globally, about one-third of agricultural production is related to the use of pesticides. Without the use of pesticides, there could be a 78% loss of fruit production, a 54% loss of vegetable production and a 32% loss of cereal production. The increasing need to supply affordable and good quality food free from pests and diseases has led to an increase in the use of pesticides. Studies have indicated that due climate change, the growth of crops will subject to an increasing level of attacks by pests, and the half-lives of pesticides used to control pests will decrease. These will lead to a further increase in the use of pesticides.
The increased use of pesticides has negative effects on the environment and human health. The active ingredients of pesticides can be toxic to other organisms, including birds, fish, beneficial insects, and non-target plants. When pesticides are applied to the target plants, they can be transmitted through environmental media such as air, water, soil as well as food. The transport of pesticides by environmental processes can result in adverse effects on environmental and human health well beyond the area of application. This project provides useful information to guide pesticide management under climate change scenarios.
The project helps understanding of the environmental and health impacts of pesticide use and as such promote the good health and well-being and sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.