Common farm fungicides found in food, water, and humans, review warns

A new scientific review warns that one of the world’s most widely used groups of farm chemicals—strobilurin fungicides—are showing up everywhere from food and drinking water to household dust and even the human body.

First introduced in the 1990s, strobilurin fungicides were hailed as a breakthrough for protecting crops like wheat, rice, and fruits from disease. Today, they make up about one-fifth of all fungicides sold worldwide. But according to researchers from Guangdong University of Technology and partner institutions, the same properties that made them so successful in farming are now raising concerns for the environment and public health.

The review found that residues of these fungicides are commonly detected in staple foods, rivers and lakes, and in the urine and blood of pregnant women. In some studies, breakdown products of azoxystrobin, a leading strobilurin, were found in 100% of tested pregnant women.

Health studies suggest that even very small amounts can cause harm. Experiments show that the chemicals interfere with the energy “powerhouses” of cells, reducing energy production by up to 98% in fish embryos. They have also been linked to hormonal disruption, abnormal development in aquatic species, and possible effects on the brain.

“These fungicides revolutionized farming, but their hidden costs are becoming clearer,” said corresponding author Dr. Jingchuan Xue. “People are being exposed through food, water, and the environment, and we urgently need better monitoring and health studies.”

The review also highlights how soil microbes can break down strobilurins, offering hope for natural cleanup. However, the authors stress that more research is needed, especially on the combined effects of multiple chemicals and on long-term impacts in humans.

The researchers call for international monitoring efforts, stronger food safety assessments, and the use of new scientific tools to better understand the risks.

Journal reference: Liu Z, Liu Y, Zhang H, Zhao Y, Zhang T, et al. 2025. A brief review of strobilurin fungicides: environmental exposure, transformation, and toxicity. New Contaminants 1: e004. https://www.maxapress.com/article/doi/10.48130/newcontam-0025-0002