Exposure of Male Farmers and Nonfarmers to Neonicotinoid Pesticides in the South‐West and Littoral Regions of Cameroon: A Comparative Study.

This article focuses on assessing human exposure to neonicotinoid insecticides in two agrarian regions of Cameroon, the South-West and Littoral regions. The study analyzed urine samples from 188 men, including 125 farmers and 63 nonfarmers, detecting residues of eight neonicotinoid compounds—acetamiprid, clothianidin, dinotefuran, imidacloprid, thiacloprid, nitenpyram, thiamethoxam, and N-desmethyl-acetamiprid—in all participants, with acetamiprid and imidacloprid being the most prevalent. Farmers generally exhibited higher median urinary concentrations and estimated daily exposures of neonicotinoids compared to nonfarmers, suggesting occupational exposure alongside dietary intake. Although exposure levels were below established reference doses, the widespread presence of multiple neonicotinoid residues highlights the need for ongoing biomonitoring and further research on potential health risks, particularly among agricultural workers in Cameroon.