Pesticide Issue Interest and Related Factors Among Japanese University Students: An Environmental Health Risk Perception Perspective Focusing on Neonicotinoids

BackgroundNeonicotinoid pesticides are systemic insecticides with neurotoxic potential and environmental persistence, raising concerns about chronic low-dose exposure in humans and impacts on ecosystems. In Japan, regulatory restrictions are generally less stringent than in the European Union, yet risk perception among young adults remains underexplored. ObjectiveTo examine factors associated with university students interest in pesticide-related issues, focusing on family discussions about environmental topics, household preference for organic vegetables, agricultural experience, and depressive symptoms. MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional questionnaire survey among 690 undergraduate students at a private university in the Tokyo metropolitan area (academic year 2024). Interest in pesticide issues was assessed on a 4-point scale and dichotomized as high (very/somewhat) vs low (not very/not at all). Explanatory variables included frequency of family discussions about environmental issues, household preference for organic vegetables, agricultural experience, the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-Self Report (QIDS-SR-J), age, and sex. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). ResultsParticipants mean age was 20.6 (SD 4.9) years and mean QIDS-SR-J score was 6.0 (SD 4.2). Overall, 74.6% reported high interest in pesticide issues. High interest was associated with more frequent family discussions about environmental issues (aOR 2.22, 95% CI 1.50-3.30; p<0.001) and household preference for organic vegetables (aOR 1.73, 95% CI 1.14-2.62; p=0.009). Agricultural experience, depressive symptoms, age, and sex were not significantly associated. Notably, while 53.2% supported pesticide-free/organic farming, 85.5% avoided blemished (insect-damaged) vegetables and 77.1% considered pesticides necessary, suggesting an attitude-behavior gap. O_TBL View this table: org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@18a3257org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1ef0b44org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@ccadbdorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1a256c7org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@ef57f8_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_TBL O_FLOATNOTable 1.C_FLOATNO O_TABLECAPTIONParticipant characteristics and related factors (N = 690) C_TABLECAPTION C_TBL ConclusionsAmong Japanese university students, interest in pesticide issues was linked to family-level environmental discourse and household organic orientation, rather than depressive symptoms. The observed gap between pro-organic attitudes and consumer preferences underscores the need for risk communication and environmental health education that connect values to feasible purchasing behaviors.