Neurotoxic risks of long-term environmental exposure to pesticides: a review

Pesticides are chemical substances that prevent pests, control weeds, sterilize, and regulate plant growth. Although mechanized spraying of pesticides significantly improves operational efficiency, excessive use and improper handling of pesticides can lead to environmental pollution, resulting in long-term exposure of nontarget organisms and causing toxicity, particularly neurotoxicity in these organisms. This review summarizes the toxic effects of long-term pesticide exposure on various neurological functions, providing insights for future studies on pesticide exposure. Furthermore, it discusses the role of pesticide exposure in the pathogenesis of neurological and psychiatric disorders and serves as a reference for the prevention, treatment, and management of neurotoxicity resulting from long-term pesticide exposure. The findings are expected to inspire future research aimed at mitigating environmental pollution and enhancing the quality of life for nontarget organisms in the environment.