Chlorinated Byproducts of Neonicotinoids and Their Metabolites: An Unrecognized Human Exposure Potential?

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Date: 
Monday, January 14, 2019
Author(s): 
Kathryn L. Klarich Wong
Danielle T. Webb
Matthew R. Nagorzanski
Dana W. Kolpin
Michelle L. Hladik
David M. Cwiertny
Gregory H. LeFevre
Journal Title: 
Environmental Science & Technology Letters
Abstract: 

We recently reported the initial discovery of neonicotinoid pesticides in drinking water and their potential for transformation through chlorination and alkaline hydrolysis during water treatment. The objectives of this research were: (1) to determine if neonicotinoid metabolites are relevant to drinking water exposure and (2) to identify the products formed from chlorination of neonicotinoids and their metabolites. Desnitro-imidacloprid and imidacloprid-urea, two known metabolites of imidacloprid, are documented for the first time in drinking water. Desnitro-imidacloprid was present above the lower level of detection (0.03 ng/L) in 67% of samples (six of nine) from drinking water systems but detectable in all samples (up to 0.6 ng/L). Although concentrations of desnitro-imidacloprid were lower than concentrations of the parent neonicotinoids, desnitro-imidacloprid exhibits significantly greater mammalian toxicity than imidacloprid. Using LC-HR-ToF-MS/MS analysis of  results from laboratory experiments, we propose structures for novel transformation products resulting from the chlorination of clothianidin, imidacloprid, desnitro-imidacloprid, imidacloprid-urea, and hydrolysis products of thiamethoxam. Formation of chlorinated neonicotinoid byproducts occurs at time scales relevant to water treatment and/or distribution for the imidacloprid metabolites (t1/2 values from 2.4 min to 1.0 h) and thiamethoxam hydrolysis products (4.8 h). Neonicotinoid metabolites in finished drinking water and potential formation of novel disinfection byproducts during treatment and/or distribution are relevant to evaluating the exposure and potential impacts of neonicotinoids on human health.

Citation: 

Klarich Wong, Kathryn L., Danielle T. Webb, Matthew R. Nagorzanski, Dana Ward Kolpin, Michelle L. Hladik, David M. Cwiertny, and Gregory H. LeFevre. "Chlorinated Byproducts of Neonicotinoids and their Metabolites: An Unrecognized Human Exposure Potential?." Environmental Science & Technology Letters (2019).