Researchers warn that conventional methods for treating water can trigger chemical reactions in neonicotinoid contaminants. The resulting metabolites are proven to be far more toxic than the original “neonic” pesticides.
Their newest experiment followed up on their discovery of neonicotinoids in tap water sources. The team investigated the risk of the pesticides getting exposed to chlorine-based water treatments and transforming into chlorinated disinfection byproducts (DBPs).
Furthermore, they evaluated the toxicity of the DBP metabolites generated by the chemical reactions between neonics and chlorine. Their efforts received support from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the University of Iowa (UI).
Analysis of the chlorinated tap water confirmed the presence of desnitro-imidacloprid and imidacloprid-urea, which are both metabolites of imidacloprid. The two formed after the neonic pesticide reacted with the chlorine disinfectant.
Desnitro-imidacloprid possessed 319 times the toxicity of its parent pesticide on mammals. Tests showed that even low levels of desnitro-imidacloprid negatively affected the health of vertebrates.
The researchers also reported that desnitro-imidacloprid and imidacloprid-urea might react to water treatment processes. When that happens, the imidacloprid metabolites became chlorinated DBPs. (Related: Glyphosate and its byproduct AMPA found to heavily contaminate farms, rivers, cities and rural areas across America.)
Chlorination causes neonicotinoid pesticides to transform into even deadlier toxins
The USGS-UI study simulated the conditions found in real-life water treatment plants. They proved it was possible for chlorinated chemicals to form in treatment tanks. (MORE)
Source: Natural News
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