Neonicotinoid pesticides are chemicals designed to target the nervous systems of crop-damaging insects, effectively eliminating pests. These synthetic compounds, derived from nicotine, were introduced in the 1990s.
Neonicotinoid pesticides are frequently applied directly to crop seeds or leaves, or incorporated into the soil, where they are absorbed. Due to their long-lasting effects, they have been favored by farmers. However, their high persistence has become a major issue, as these pesticides can have severe consequences not only for crops but also for the surrounding environment and ecosystems. Of particular concern is the harmful impact they have on critical pollinators, such as honeybees, which could trigger wider ecological disruptions.
The Grave Effects of Neonicotinoid Pesticides on Human Health
As concerns about the link between neonicotinoid pesticides and the rising rates of developmental disorders in children grow, many countries are tightening regulations. Yet, in Japan, these pesticides remain unbanned, with their use still often encouraged.
This pesticide is highly persistent, remaining on crops even after washing and resisting breakdown even when exposed to heat.
In 2021, German researchers revealed that certain neonicotinoids could negatively affect human nerve cells, raising particular concern about their potential impact on children’s brains.
Neonicotinoid Pesticides and the Growing Concerns Over Their Impact on Children
A study on Miyakojima City’s groundwater highlighted a dramatic rise in the number of children enrolled in special needs classes, from 39 to 422 over the last ten years. This increase has drawn attention due to a noted correlation between the use of neonicotinoid pesticides and the growing number of affected children.
In addition, research from the Environmental Neuroscience Information Center has shown that neonicotinoid pesticides directly impact the developing nerve cells of rats. The study also revealed that these pesticides affect proteins crucial for nerve transmission in mammals, including humans. These findings have raised increasing concerns about the potential effects of pesticides on children’s development.
The Global Push for Stricter Regulations on Neonicotinoid Pesticides
Reports from the spring of 2007 indicated that a quarter of the honeybee population in the Northern Hemisphere had vanished. In Japan, the mass die-off of honeybees and the subsequent shortage have become a significant issue since the 2000s.
The use of neonicotinoid pesticides and insecticides has been cited as a key factor contributing to these ecological disruptions.
In the European Union, three types of neonicotinoid pesticides were officially banned by 2018, with nearly all major neonicotinoid pesticides being effectively prohibited by 2020. France codified the ban in its 2016 Biodiversity Law. Likewise, South Korea followed the EU’s example in 2014 by banning three neonicotinoids, and Turkey implemented comparable measures in 2018.
In 2015, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it would suspend the approval of new or additional registrations for neonicotinoid pesticides, due to concerns about their potential harmful effects on honeybees.
The Continued Promotion of Neonicotinoid Pesticides in Japan
In contrast, Japan continues to actively promote the use of neonicotinoid pesticides, with all seven types still permitted for use. Additionally, in 2015, the country significantly relaxed its residue standards. For instance, the allowable residue level for spinach was increased to 13 times its previous limit.
Japan’s pesticide residue limits are reportedly several times higher than those of the United States and several dozen to several hundred times higher than those of the European Union, highlighting concerns about the country’s relatively lenient standards compared to other nations.
Neonicotinoid pesticides were developed by Japanese companies in the 1980s, with Sumitomo Chemical playing a key role as the primary manufacturer and exporter to global markets. The company has also issued a statement to the European Union, arguing that regulatory actions are excessive, and has taken an opposing stance against the tightening of regulations in countries worldwide.
Against this backdrop, it is impossible to ignore the fact that the Japanese government’s prioritization of the profit interests of one company over the health and safety of its citizens calls for a fundamental shift in policy.
A crisis unfolds in Lake Shinji as zooplankton and shrimp populations face a sharp decline.
Neonicotinoid pesticides, which directly target the nervous systems of insects and other organisms, were first introduced in 1993. That same year, a sudden decline in zooplankton occurred, which in turn led to a dramatic drop in shrimp populations.
In Lake Shinji (Shimane Prefecture), the reduction in aquatic insects has caused a food shortage, leading to a sharp decline in Japanese eels and wakasagi fish. Additionally, rice fields have seen a notable decrease in dragonfly populations, raising concerns about a possible connection to pesticide use.
Pesticides at high concentrations have been detected in tap water across Japan.
Neonicotinoid pesticides have been detected at high concentrations in tap water in Japan. The levels tend to rise between May and July, when rice planting and vegetable cultivation are most concentrated, with a further increase around August due to pest control measures for rice crops.
The Persistence of Pesticides in the Environment: 95% of Chemicals Leach Out, Raising Growing Concerns About Residual Contamination.
Neonicotinoid pesticides are absorbed by crops at a mere 5%, with the remaining 95% flowing into the surrounding environment. These pesticides are highly persistent, lingering in the soil and water for several years, and under certain conditions, their effects can endure for more than a decade. This prolonged residual impact is a key factor contributing to the serious damage inflicted on ecosystems.