Pollution characteristics and toxic effects of neonicotinoid insecticides

This paper reviewed the occurrence status of neonicotinoid insecticides in soil, water and atmosphere and their toxic effects on invertebrates, vertebrates, and humans. Neonicotinoids commonly exist in multi-media environments, especially in the agricultural planting areas with high residual concentrations. The effects of neonicotinoids on non-target organisms were mainly manifested in oxidative stress, inhibition of activity, damage to DNA and reproductive function, while they also posed risks to human fertility, reproduction, nerves, and organ functions. Therefore, it is urgent to systematically study the occurrence and pollution of neonicotinoid insecticides in multi-environmental media and explore their health effects on non-target organisms, which could help to fully understand the potential risks of these insecticides on the ecological environment and non-target organisms in the future. © 2023 Chinese Society for Environmental Sciences. All rights reserved.