ABSTRACT Since seed coating with neonicotinoid insecticides was introduced in the late 1990s, European beekeepers have reported severe colony losses in the period of corn sowing (spring). As a consequence, seed-coating neonicotinoid insecticides that are used worldwide on corn crops have been blamed for honey bee decline. In view of the currently increasing crop production, and also of corn as a renewable energy source, the correct use of these insecticides within sustainable agriculture is a cause of concern. In this paper, a probable -but so far underestimated -route of environmental exposure of honey bees to and intoxication with neonicotinoid insecticides, namely the atmospheric emission of particulate matter containing the insecticide by drilling machines, has been quantitatively studied. Using optimized analytical procedures, quantitative measurements of both the emitted particulate and the consequent direct contamination of single bees approaching the drilling machine during the foraging activity have been determined. Experimental results show that the environmental release of particles containing neonicotinoids can produce high exposure levels for bees, with lethal effects compatible with colony losses phenomena observed by beekeepers. Andrea Tapparo, Daniele Marton, Chiara Giorio, Alessandro Zanella, Lidia Soldą, Matteo Marzaro, Linda Vivan, and Vincenzo Girolami Environ. Sci. Technol., Just Accepted Manuscript . DOI: 10.1021/es2035152 . Publication Date (Web): 31 Jan 2012 Downloaded from http://pubs.acs.org on February 6, 2012 Environmental Science & Technology is published by the American Chemical Society. 1155 Sixteenth Street N.W., Washington, DC 20036 Published by American Chemical Society. Copyright © American Chemical Society. However, no copyright claim is made to original U.S. Government works, or works produced by employees of any Commonwealth realm Crown government in the course of their duties. Universitą degli Studi di Padova, Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, via Marzolo 1, 35131, Padova, Italy. [log in to unmask] Universitą degli Studi di Padova, Dipartimento di Agronomia Animali Alimenti Risorse Naturali e 31 Ambiente, Agripolis - viale dell'Universitą 16, 35020 Legnaro (Padova), Italy. Kind regards, Ghislain De Roeck, Belgium *********************************************** The BEE-L mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html Guidelines for posting to BEE-L can be found at: http://honeybeeworld.com/bee-l/guidelines.htm