Despite their widespread detection in surface waters, relatively little is known about neonicotinoid fate in the environment. Neonicotinoids have been identified in water resources used for drinking water, but their potential for treatment and removal via the physical, chemical, and biological processes used in conventional drinking water treatment systems is unknown. This work measures the transformation and removal of common neonicotinoids via the physical and chemical processes used in drinking water treatment. We demonstrate that many of these processes are unlikely to remove neonicotinoids and may alter their structures so as to remove their specificity to invertebrates. This transformation could expose non-target organisms, including humans, to unanticipated risks arising from their bioactive transformation products. Through laboratory batch experiments and monitoring at two drinking water treatment plants, we assessed the fate and transformation of neonicotinoids through conventional treatment processes. The results of this work will be used to preliminarily evaluate potential risks posed to humans and other non-target organisms by neonicotinoids in drinking water resources. <br/> <br/>

Transformation and fate of neonicotinoid insecticides during drinking water treatment

254th National Meeting (2017)

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