Four Leiden Scientists: 'Environmental risks of new pesticides with nanoparticles insufficiently examined'
The environmental risks of new pesticides containing nanoparticles are inadequately researched, according to four Leiden scientists in the scientific journal Environmental Science & Technology. They call for an examination of the long-term and environmental effects of pesticides containing nanoparticles.
They seem to offer a promising solution: pesticides with nanomaterials. They are expected to protect agricultural crops without harming the environment and our health. These nanoparticles sometimes are the active ingredient, while at other times, they enhance the effectiveness of the actual pesticide as an additive.
Nanoparticles penetrate plants exceptionally well
But does it really work as ideally as it sounds? Metal particles or organic compounds in nanoproducts may be released slowly or only under optimal (weather) conditions. This allows them to work for a longer period in the field and reduce leaching and runoff into surface water. The nanostructure can also facilitate better binding to crops or enhance the penetration of substances into the pest organism they are meant to control. Due to this efficiency, farmers may require less nanoproducts compared to traditional pesticides.
Efficiency might also mean increased harm
This sounds promising, but ecotoxicologist Tom Nederstigt is less enthusiastic. He conducted research on the environmental effects of manufactured nanoparticles in surface water. He investigated how the effects of exposure to these nanoparticles could be measured. He observed that these effects are currently not realistically examined. ‘In the case of nanopesticides, evaluations often do not consider that they generally work for a longer time and can be more toxic than traditional products. In practice, this could mean that use and emissions are smaller, but the downsides for nature are greater.’
In their article, Nederstigt and colleagues explain how adverse effects of nanoproducts can occur and what researchers should focus on when assessing safety. For example, moles or crows may consume beetles killed by a nanoproduct. This product could accumulate in them, raising concerns. If beetles are exposed to the product for a longer time due to delayed release, the same may apply to non-target organisms such as worms and dragonflies, which may experience harm even though they are not the targets. Risk assessors of nanoproducts also rarely consider the effects on microbes, despite their significant role in soil and all organisms on Earth, an aspect studied by co-author Bregje Brinkmann.
Looking only at direct exposure
‘Assessments generally focus only on direct exposure and its effects,’ the researchers write. They only consider the impact on those beetles, for example, the direct target of a product. ‘To truly understand the impact of nanoproducts, ecotoxicological research must also focus on indirect exposure and indirect effects.’ This includes non-target organisms such as worms, bees, dragonflies, and predators that may ingest the product directly or through their food. Assessors should also examine whether the product ends up in groundwater and neighbouring areas.
Glyphosate once deemed safe as well
Co-author Willie Peijnenburg is a professor of Ecotoxicology and Biodiversity and works part-time at the RIVM (National Institute for Public Health and the Environment). Their website includes a page on the risk assessment of nanopesticides for humans, showing the same caution as the article. However, it also mentions that the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the Dutch Board for the Authorization of Plant Protection Products and Biocides (Ctgb) assess the safety of products. In the case of the controversial pesticide glyphosate – which kills all plants except those made resistant to it – they concluded that the product is safe.
‘Agencies are unfairly selective’
According to co-author Martina Vijver and many other scientists, these agencies are biased in selection of studies they include in their assessments. ‘EFSA hardly considers publications by university-affiliated scientists,’ they wrote in a letter to the Dutch agriculture minister related to glyphosate – another synthetic pesticide. Independent studies on this product now raise suspicions that it has many undesired effects on water quality, biodiversity, and health.
Improving the authorization process
Guidelines for market authorisation of pesticides are developed, validated, and established internationally. This is done by organisations such as the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) and ISO (International Organization for Standardization). Implementation of these guidelines in regulations also occurs internationally. EFSA handles this for pesticides, and ECHA (European Chemicals Agency) does so for chemicals in general.
For nanoproducts, the guidelines allowing them to enter the market are just being established and are still largely in development. Adjustment of the guidelines is still possible. Therefore, the authors argue for a focus on the effects on non-target organisms, taking into account the often longer exposure duration of these products.
Text: Rianne Lindhout