An occupational health assessment of dinotefuran exposure in greenhouse vegetable workers: Metabolomic profiling and toxicokinetic analysis

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the metabolite profiles of populations engaged in intensive vegetable cultivation and their exposure to pesticides. As urbanization progresses and eating habits evolve, intensive vegetable farming has rapidly expanded; however, this cultivation method poses potential health risks to farmers, particularly due to long-term exposure to “greenhouse gases” in enclosed environments. The study investigated the demographic characteristics of individuals in vegetable-growing areas, collected relevant biological samples, and assessed exposure levels by analyzing pesticide metabolites in urine. The results indicated that the types and concentrations of pesticide metabolites detected in the urine of the exposed group were significantly higher than those in the control group, with notable increases in neonicotinoid metabolites such as dinotefuran (DIN) and thiacloprid. Furthermore, the impact of these pesticides on mammalian organisms was examined through animal experiments, which revealed dynamic changes in the concentration of DIN in mouse serum and urine, providing valuable data on its biological metabolic characteristics. These findings underscore the importance of ongoing disease prevention, pollution control, and the need for enhanced health monitoring and protective measures for agricultural workers.