An assessment of exposure to several classes of pesticides in pet dogs and cats from New York, United States

Pesticides residues in pet food: A market-based study on prevalence and toxicological implications

Pesticide residues in pet food pose potential risks to animal health, yet their occurrence and dietary exposure in companion animals remain largely unexplored. This study analyzed 83 commercial dry pet food products (43 for dogs and 40 for cats) from the Spanish market to assess pesticide contamination and associated toxicological risks. A total of 51 pesticides were detected, predominantly fungicides (47 %) and insecticides (37 %), with 37.25 % of them banned in the European Union. Pesticide residues were significantly more prevalent in pet food containing vegetable ingredients (p = 0.041). Although pesticide residues were detected more frequently in dog food than in cat food (p < 0.05), total pesticide concentrations did not significantly differ between species. The estimated daily intake (EDI), calculated according to manufacturer-recommended feeding rates, revealed significant differences in exposure levels between dogs and cats for specific compounds. However, cumulative exposure assessments through the Hazard Index (HI) indicated that all pesticide groups remained below the risk threshold (HI < 1), with a worst-case scenario of 0.32. Despite the frequent detection of non-approved pesticides and regulatory concerns, our findings indicate that chronic dietary exposure to these pesticide residues in pet food is unlikely to pose an immediate toxicological risk, based on calculations using current regulatory thresholds, which are established for individual compounds. However, the long-term effects of chronic low-dose exposure to pesticide mixtures remain uncertain and require further investigation. The absence of specific maximum residue limits (MRLs) for pet food underscores the need for stricter regulations and systematic monitoring to ensure long-term safety. To our knowledge, this is one of the first comprehensive investigations assessing both pesticide prevalence and potential dietary exposure in companion animals, highlighting the urgent need for improved regulatory frameworks to address the presence of non-approved pesticides in pet food.

Antiparasitic Collars: Concentration Levels of Imidacloprid and Flumethrin in Dog Fur Suggest Low Toxicity Risks for Adult Humans

Seresto by Elanco (formerly Bayer Animal Health) is a collar for cats and dogs that provides long-lasting antiparasitic protection through the gradual release of imidacloprid and flumethrin onto the animal's skin. Although the EPA has deemed Seresto safe, their assessment is based on laboratory data, which may not fully reflect real-world exposure. Furthermore, recent reports of over 900 adverse human health events between 2012 and 2022 underscore the need for further safety investigations. We measured these chemicals' concentrations from the fur of eight dogs over 9 months to evaluate how daily interactions with pets could expose humans to toxic levels. Flumethrin was mostly undetectable, and imidacloprid levels were well below the toxicity threshold, suggesting low risks. However, factors like cumulative exposure and individual characteristics warrant consideration. Concentration levels were highest right after collar application, potentially reaching up to 11.6% of an 8 kg child's acceptable daily intake. We recommend limiting prolonged contact with pets, especially for young children, in the first 48 h post-application. We detected residual imidacloprid prior to collar application and 1 month after removal, raising questions as to the potential contamination risks that roaming pets could pose to ecosystems, given the known environmental impacts of these chemicals.

Successful Management of Acetamiprid Intoxication in a Captive Eurasian Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis)

A captive, 1-year-old, male Eurasian goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) weighing 0.85 kg and owned by a falconer was presented with a history of acute onset of weakness, dyspnea, diarrhea, and regurgitation of a fresh-thawed pigeon contaminated with acetamiprid, an insecticide used in the raptor enclosure. The raptor had eaten the contaminated pigeon approximately 10-12 hours earlier. Two-view (lateral and ventrodorsal) full-body survey radiographs were taken, and no abnormalities were noted. A complete blood count and serum biochemistry panel showed increased concentrations of hematocrit, uric acid concentrations, and creatine kinase activity. Intravenous isotonic crystalloid fluids, oxygen supplementation, active warming, and assist feeding by oral syringe were provided. The bird rapidly improved approximately 12 hours after initiating supportive care. Complete resolution of clinical signs and return of normal appetite occurred within 2 days of hospitalization. No recurrence of clinical signs was reported in the raptor presented on 2 months' follow-up. The outcome of this case suggests that supportive treatment of acetamiprid toxicity in captive goshawks can be successful with early intervention.

Urinary and household chemical exposures in pet dogs with urothelial cell carcinoma

Urothelial cell carcinoma (UCC) has been linked to environmental chemical exposures in people, but these risk factors are not well understood in dogs with UCC. We hypothesised that household chemical exposures contribute to the risk of UCC in pet dogs. This prospective cross-sectional case-control study included 37 dogs with UCC and 37 unaffected breed-, sex-, and age-matched controls. Dog owners completed an environmental questionnaire and household samples were collected and analysed for arsenic (in tap water and room dust) and acrolein (in room air). Urine samples from UCC dogs, control dogs, and consenting owners were analysed for inorganic arsenic species, the acrolein metabolite 3-HPMA, and the phenoxy herbicide 2,4-D. Public data on chlorination byproducts (total trihalomethanes) in municipal drinking water were also compared between case and control households. Dogs with UCC were more likely to swim in a pool (15.2%) compared with control dogs (0%) (OR 1.69, 95% CI = 1.69-∞; p = .02). Dogs with UCC also had more than 4-fold higher reported municipal water concentrations of chlorination byproducts (median 28.0 ppb) compared with controls (median 6.9 ppb; p < .0001). Dust arsenic concentrations were unexpectedly lower in case households (median 0.277 ng/cm2) compared with control households (median 0.401 ng/cm2; p = .0002). Other outcomes were not significantly different between groups. These data suggest that dog owners, especially those of breeds known to be at higher risk for UCC, consider limiting access to swimming pools and installing water filtration units that remove total trihalomethanes.

Organic Pollutant Exposure and CKD: A Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort Pilot Study

Rationale & Objective

This study aimed to assess the effect of exposure to organic pollutants in adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Study Design

This was a cross-sectional and longitudinal analysis.

Setting and Participants

Forty adults enrolled in the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC).

Exposures

Exposure at baseline and longitudinally to various organic chemical pollutants.

Outcomes

The outcomes were as follows: death; composite of congestive heart failure, myocardial infarction, and stroke; event-free survival from kidney failure or ≥50% decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR); and longitudinal trajectory of eGFR.

Analytical Approach

We used high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry to measure urinary concentrations of bisphenols, phthalates, organophosphate pesticides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, melamine, and cyanuric acid at years 1, 3, and 5 after enrollment in the CRIC. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression were used to examine the association of individual compounds and classes of pollutants with the outcomes. The Cox proportional hazards model and Kaplan-Meier method were used to calculate hazard ratios and 95% CIs for each class of pollutants.

Results

Median baseline eGFR and urinary protein-to-creatinine ratio were 33 mL/min/1.73 m2 and 0.58 mg/g, respectively. Of 52 compounds assayed, 30 were detectable in ≥50% of participants. Urinary chemical concentrations were comparable in patients with CKD and healthy individuals from contemporaneous National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey cohorts. Phthalates were the only class with a trend toward higher exposure in patients with CKD. There was an inverse relationship between exposure and the eGFR slopes for bisphenol F, mono-(3-carboxypropyl) phthalate, mono-benzyl phthalate, mono-[2-(carboxymethyl)hexyl] phthalate, and melamine. There were no associations between organic pollutant exposure and cardiovascular outcomes.

Limitations

Small sample size, evaluation of single rather than combined exposures.

Conclusions

Simultaneous measurement of multiple organic pollutants in adults with CKD is feasible. Exposure levels are comparable with healthy individuals. Select contaminants, especially in the phthalate class, may be associated with more rapid deterioration in kidney function.

Establishment of a modified QuEChERS extraction and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for multiple pesticide residues followed by determination of the residue levels and exposure assessment in livestock urine

The establishment of an analytical method for pesticide residues in livestock urine can realize the real-time monitoring of pesticide pollution in livestock breeding. In this study, a novel method was developed for the determination of 106 pesticide residues in livestock urine based on a modified QuEChERS extraction and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Acetonitrile was used to extract target analytes through acidic and alkaline switching of the sample environment. The purification effect of captiva EMR-Lipid on samples was investigated. Three kinds of materials, C18, polar enhanced polymer (PEP), N-propylethylenediamine (PSA), were selected from 20 kinds of materials as adsorbents for QuEChERS. A mass analysis was carried out using simultaneous scanning in both positive and negative ion mode and multiple reaction monitoring mode. All analytes showed good linearity, with correlation coefficients (R2) greater than 0.9923; their limits of quantification were 0.02-1.95 ng/mL. The average recoveries at low, medium, and high spiked levels were in the range of 70.1 %-117.3 %, with intra-day precision ranging from 3.4 % to 16.9 % and inter-day precision ranging from 4.0 % to 19.3 %. The established analytical method was used to analyze the pesticide residue in swine urine and bovine urine collected from farms in Yining, Xinjiang, China. A total of 8 pesticides were detected, and the residue ranged from less than the limit of quantitation to 22.4 ng/mL. The top three pesticides with the highest detection frequency were clothianidin, thiamethoxam, and dinotefuran. The exposure assessment based on the monitored pesticide residue concentration levels showed that the detected pesticides could pose little risk to cattle and pigs.

Urinary Cypermethrin Metabolites among Conventional and Organic Farmers in Thailand

Cypermethrin, a pyrethroid insecticide, is frequently spread on agricultural farmlands and is also used in households in Thailand. Conventional pesticide-using farmers (n = 209) were recruited from the Phitsanulok and Nakornsawan provinces. Certified organic farmers (n = 224) were also recruited in the Yasothorn province. The farmers were interviewed via a questionnaire and the urine from their first morning void was collected. The urine samples were analyzed for 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3-PBA), cis-3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropane carboxylic acid (cis-DCCA), and trans-3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropane carboxylic acid (trans-DCCA). The results showed no significant difference in the urinary cypermethrin metabolites between the conventional farmers and the organic farmers, for whom the usage of cypermethrin was not accounted for. However, when conventional farmers who used cypermethrin on the farm and in the home were compared with conventional farmers who did not use any cypermethrin or with organic farmers, a significant difference was noted for all metabolites except for trans-DCCA. These findings show that the most significant exposures to cypermethrin are among conventional farmers who use the insecticide on their farms or in their homes. However, measurable levels of all metabolites were found among both conventional and organic farmers who only used cypermethrin in the home or not at all, suggesting that the at-home use of pyrethroids and other possible exposures from pyrethroid residues on market-bought food may contribute to urinary levels of pyrethroids that exceed those of the general population in the US and Canada.

Assessment of exposure to volatile organic compounds through urinary concentrations of their metabolites in pet dogs and cats from the United States

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are ubiquitous environmental pollutants, exposure to which is associated with birth defects, neurocognitive and reproductive impairments, and cancer. Little is known, however, about VOC exposure in pet dogs and cats, which represent sentinels for human exposure as well as having value as companion animals. In this study, we determined 38 VOC metabolites (VOCMs) in urine samples collected from 47 dogs and 42 cats from the Albany area of New York State. Seventeen (in cats) to twenty (in dogs) VOCMs were found at detection frequencies (DFs) above 60%. The creatinine-adjusted geometric mean (GM) concentrations of individual VOCMs ranged from 5.43 (EMA) to 761 μg/g (3HPMA) in dog urine and 0.824 (SBMA) to 278 μg/g (ATCA) in cat urine. The ∑20 VOCM concentration in dog urine was 2280 μg/g (geometric mean) and the ∑17 VOCM concentration in cat urine was 847 μg/g. Eight individual VOCMs were significantly more abundant in dog than in cat urine, and the urinary concentrations of several VOCMs in dogs were comparable to those reported for human tobacco smokers. Metabolites of acrolein accounted for 43% of ∑20 VOCM concentration in dogs, whereas those of cyanide and benzene accounted for 60% of ∑17 VOCM concentration in cats. Based on acrylamide exposure doses, calculated hazard quotients were above 1 in 77% of dogs and 50% of cats studied, and cancer risk values (using a benchmark of 10^-6) from exposure to acrylamide exceeded 1 for all dogs and cats. This is the first study to report VOCM concentrations in urine collected from pet dogs and cats and highlights the need to identify sources and health implications of VOCs exposure in these animals.