What does science say about the dangerousness of acetamipride for our health?

The figure never stops climbing. Consequently, The petition against the Duplumb law exceeded on Monday evening the bar of the 1.5 million signatories. For example, This text. Consequently, adopted on July 8, authorizes the derogatory reintroduction of a controversial pesticide, acetamipride, prohibited in France since 2018 but authorized in the rest of the European Union.

More than a thousand scientists. Similarly, doctors and caregivers have sent an open letter to the ministers of health, agriculture, work and the ecological transition, in which they alert on the dangers of this neonicotinoid. However, But what does science say about the dangerousness of acetamipride on our health?

“Major uncertainty” – What does science say about

The European Health Agency (EFSA). Meanwhile, which or not authorizes the marketing of a product, validated this substance in 2013 and 2018. Consequently, To do this, it must be based on a file provided by the industrialist himself. Consequently, “This dossier must resume all scientific what does science say about literature. Additionally, Consequently, and the industrialist must also provide several tests he pays,” explains Pierre-Michel Périnaud, president of the Alert of Doctors on Pesticides. In addition, There is an obvious conflict of interest but that is like that for the vast majority of studies on. chemical substances at the regulatory level. »»

Based on this file. EFSA authorized the marketing of the insecticide while considering, in March 2024, that “major uncertainties” remained on the neurodevelopmental effects of acetamipride. The specificity of neonicotinoids being to target the nervous system of insects in order to kill them. they therefore arouse questions about their neurological effects. Does its use ultimately lead to neurodevelopmental disorders in humans?

Growth retardation – What does science say about

For several years. “in vitro” work, exposing what does science say about a laboratory cell to neonicotinoids and studies on animals, generally mice, have been carried out. The former notably show the deleterious effects of neonicotinoids on neurons. The latter highlight their action in neurological disorders.

Epidemiological studies have also been done. In one of them, named Ishikawa and produced in 2019, scientists measured the metabolite rate of acetamipride present in newborns urine. “Infants having obtained the strongest rates were those who have had growth retardation in utero,” explains Pierre-Michel Périnaud.

Another study published in 2017 in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives Was carried out on pregnant women in California. the only state in which the population must declare its use of plot pesticides. “The more pregnant women are exposed. the more the researchers find a decrease in IQ points, the reasoning capacity and the verbal understanding of the child,” said the doctor.

Endocrine disruptor

“We also know thanks to epidemiological studies that in humans. what does science say about acetamipride crosses the placental barrier and can therefore reach the fetus,” adds Dr. Périnaud. Acetamipride was found in the cerebrospinal fluid of children, according to a Swiss study carried out in 2022. ”

Neurodevelopmental risk is not the only one. The European Commission has initiated procedure to request manufacturers elements on any properties of endocrine disturbance of acetamipride.

Clue beams

The doctor admits: scientific literature does not prove a causal link between exposure to acetamipride. neurode development or endocrine disruption. “But the various works give numerous beams of clues that should lead to a precautionary principle. push EFSA to do more studies,” protests the doctor.

This is what the agency recommends. EFSA explains that it would take “new elements” to be able to “adequately assess the risks and dangers” of acetamipride. Given these uncertainties, she also called to clearly lower the eligible daily dose. Contradictory recommendations, according to Doctor Périnaud.