The European Food Safety Authority has recommended lowering acceptable human exposure levels to two insecticides — acetamiprid and imidacloprid – due to concerns over their effect on developing human nervous systems. Both are part of a class of insecticides called neonicotinoids, which have come under scrutiny before for their effect on bees.
Early last year, three ‘neo-nics’ – including imidacloprid – were identified as being harmful to bee health. The European Commission put a temporary ban on the substances pending further research. Within two years, they will decide whether to lift the ban or make it permanent. Similar concerns over bee health have been raised in the U.S., but the EPA has not yet taken action.
Imidacloprid is among the most popular insecticides, and the active ingredient in many insecticide products sold throughout the world, including the U.S.
Now, the European Food Safety Authority has turned its attention to the potential impact of these insecticides – which are nicotine-based – on children. The authority believes that these compounds are not safe in the amounts currently allowed.
Their concerns are based in part on a Japanese study that showed acetamiprid and imidacloprid to have similar effects on neurons as nicotine. And because nicotine can negatively affect human brain development, researchers worry the insecticides may do the same.
The European Food Safety Authority’s recommendation to lower human exposure limits in Europe will now go before the European Commission. It will likely be several months before they decide what action to take.
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Web Links
Human Exposure to Possibly Neurotoxic Pesticides Should Be Reduced, E.U. Safety Agency Recommends
European Agency Warns of Risk to Humans in Pesticides Tied to Bee Deaths
EFSA identifies risks to bees from neonicotinoids
http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/press/news/130116.htm
Photo, taken on July 23, 2013, courtesy of Gary Cycles via Flickr.
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