Bioaccumulation and biomagnification of ultraviolet absorbents in marine wildlife of the Pearl River Estuarine, South China Sea

Determination of 16 ultraviolet-absorbing compounds in marine invertebrates by using LC-USI-MS/MS coupled with QuEChERS

In this study, we examined multiple endocrine-disrupting ultraviolet-absorbing compounds (UVACs) in marine invertebrates used in personal care products and packaging. Modified QuEChERS and liquid chromatography UniSpray ionization tandem mass spectrometry were used to identify 16 UVACs in marine invertebrates. Matrix-matched calibration curves revealed high linearity (r ≥ 0.9929), with limits of detection and quantification of 0.006-1.000 and 0.020-3.000 ng/g w.w., respectively. In oysters, intraday and interday analyses revealed acceptable accuracy (93%-120%) and precision (≤18%), except for benzophenone (BP) and ethylhexyl 4-(dimethylamino) benzoate. Analysis of 100 marine invertebrate samples revealed detection frequencies of 100%, 98%, 89%, 64%, and 100% for BP, 4-hydroxybenzophenone, 4-methylbenzophenone, 4-methylbenzylidene camphor, and benzophenone-3 (BP-3), respectively. BP and BP-3 were detected at concentrations of 4.40-27.39 and < 0.020-0.560 ng/g w.w., respectively, indicating their widespread presence. Overall, our proposed method successfully detected UVACs in marine invertebrates, raising concerns regarding their potential environmental and health effects.

Distribution and trophodynamics of substituted diphenylamine antioxidants and benzotriazole UV stabilizers in a freshwater ecosystem and the adjacent riparian environment

Substituted diphenylamine antioxidants (SDPAs) and benzotriazole UV stabilizers (BZT-UVs) are industrial additives of emerging environmental concern. However, little is known about their environmental fate and bioaccumulation. This study investigated the concentrations of SDPAs and BZT-UVs in the water, sediment and biota samples in the freshwater ecosystem and adjacent riparian environment using Hamilton Harbour in the Great Lakes of North America as a study site. The bioaccumulation factors and trophodynamics of these contaminants were studied using field-collected samples. Eight target SDPAs and two BZT-UVs (2-(2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-4,6-bis(1-methyl-1-phenylethyl)phenol (UV234) and 2-(2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-4,6-di-tert-pentylphenol (UV328)) were frequently detected in the sediment, water and biota samples. UV328 showed significantly greater concentrations in water (0.28-2.8 ng L-1) and sediment (8.3-48 ng g-1, dry weight) than other target contaminants, implying greater contamination of UV328 in Hamilton Harbour. SDPAs exhibited trophic dilution in species living in the water, whereas UV234 was biomagnified in the same samples. No clear trophodynamic trend was found for UV328 for water-respiring species. Air-breathing invertebrates had higher concentrations of both SDPAs and BZT-UVs than water-respiring invertebrates, and biomagnification was observed particularly for adult dragonflies. These results suggest that the trophodynamics of SDPAs and BZT-UVs vary depending on whether the food web is terrestrial or aquatic. Future research should investigate the occurrence and partitioning of SDPAs and BZT-UVs in the air-water interface and evaluate the toxicities of these contaminants in air-breathing species.

Contamination of ultraviolet absorbers in food: toxicity, analytical methods, occurrence and risk assessments

Ultraviolet (UV) absorbers are chemical substances that are widely used as defenses against the damaging effects of solar radiations. UV absorbers, despite their benefits, are categorized as emerging pollutants because they have been demonstrated to be mutagenic, toxic, pseudo-persistent, bio-accumulative, and to have strong estrogenic effects. Because of their common use in personal care products, they continue to enter the environment. Several food samples, particularly those derived from aquatic sources, have been found to be contaminated with these compounds. Toxic effects on aquatic life, such as metabolic imbalance and developmental toxicity, result from the continued presence of UV absorbers in aquatic bodies. In addition, the degree of exposure to these pollutants in foods should be examined because there are certain risks associated with their consumption by humans. Therefore, this review focuses on the toxicity, analytical techniques, occurrence, and risk assessments of UV absorbers found in food.

First Evidence of the Bioaccumulation and Trophic Transfer of Tire Additives and Their Transformation Products in an Estuarine Food Web

The discovery of the significant lethal impacts of the tire additive transformation product N-(1,3-dimethylbutyl)-N'-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine quinone (6PPD-Q) on coho salmon has garnered global attention. However, the bioaccumulation and trophic transfer of tire additives and their transformation products (TATPs) within food webs remain obscure. This study first characterized the levels and compositions of 15 TATPs in the Pearl River Estuary, estimated their bioaccumulation and trophic transfer potential in 21 estuarine species, and identified priority contaminants. Our observations indicated that TATPs were prevalent in the estuarine environment. Eight, six, seven, and 10 TATPs were first quantified in the shrimp, sea cucumber, snail, and fish samples, with total mean levels of 45, 56, 64, and 67 ng/g (wet weight), respectively. N,N'-Diphenyl-p-phenylenediamine (DPPD) and N,N'-bis(2-methylphenyl)-1,4-benzenediamine (DTPD) exhibited high bioaccumulation. Significant biodilution was only identified for benzothiazole, while DPPD and DTPD displayed biomagnification trends based on Monte Carlo simulations. The mechanisms of bioaccumulation and trophodynamics of TATPs could be explained by their chemical hydrophobicity, molecular mass, and metabolic rates. Based on a multicriteria scoring technique, DPPD, DTPD, and 6PPD-Q were characterized as priority contaminants. This work emphasizes the importance of biomonitoring, particularly for specific hydrophobic tire additives.

Tissue-specific distributions of organic ultraviolet absorbents in free-range chickens and domestic pigeons from Guangzhou, China

The ecological risks of organic ultraviolet absorbents (UVAs) have been of increasing concern. Studies have found that these chemicals could be accumulated in terrestrial animals and pose toxicities. However, tissue distribution of UVAs in terrestrial species was far from well understood. In this study, free-range chickens and domestic pigeons were selected to investigate the occurrence and tissue distribution of UVAs. Total concentrations of eleven UVAs in muscles ranged from 778 to 2874 (mean 1413 ± 666) ng/g lipid weight, which were higher than those in aquatic species worldwide. Since low UVA concentrations in local environment were previously reported, the results implied the strong accumulation of UVAs in studied species. Brain, stomach and kidney were main target organs for studied UVAs, differentiating from the strong liver sequestration in aquatic species. The mean tissue-to-muscle ratios of 1.02-4.23 further indicated the preferential accumulation of target UVAs in these tissues. The tissue-to-blood ratios of benzophenone (BP), 2-ethylhexyl salicylate (EHS) and homosalate (HMS) in brain were 370, 1207 and 52.0, respectively, implying their preferential accumulation in brain. More research is needed to characterize the toxicokinetics and tissue distribution of UVAs in terrestrial wild species, in order to further understand their potential risks.

Spatiotemporal variation, partitioning, and ecological risk assessment of benzothiazoles, benzotriazoles, and benzotriazole UV absorbers in the Yangtze River Estuary and its adjacent area

The distributions and toxicities of the pollutants benzothiazoles (BTHs), benzotriazoles (BTRs), and benzotriazole ultraviolet stabilizers (BUVs) have attracted much attention, but most research has focused on freshwater environments and few have examined their levels in marine environments. This study, for the first time, investigated the spatial and temporal variability and ecological risks of BTHs, BTRs and BUVs in the Yangtze River estuary and its adjacent area, and further elucidated how environmental factors influence the transport of these contaminants. The concentrations of BTHs, BTRs, and BUVs in seawater showed significant seasonal variability, with the highest concentrations in summer, followed by autumn, and then winter-spring. The spatiotemporal variability in BTHs, BTRs and BUVs in the seawater and sediments samples showed decreasing trends from nearshore to offshore, reflecting the influence of river discharge. Marine debris and continuous discharge from cities were responsible for the high detection frequency of these contaminants in the YRE and its adjacent area. Furthermore, the moderate risk from the presence of BTHs, BTRs, and BUVs as they accumulate in sediments should not be ignored. Our study provides new insights into the fate and ecological risk of BTHs, BTRs, and BUVs in the estuary.

New insight into the bioaccumulation and trophic transfer of free and conjugated antibiotics in an estuarine food web based on multimedia fate and model simulation

The substantial utilization of antibiotics causes their "pseudo-persistence" in offshore environments. Published studies on antibiotic surveillance in food webs have primarily emphasized on parent forms; however, the compositions and concentrations of conjugated antibiotics in aquatic organisms remain largely unexplored. This study systematically examined the distribution characteristics and trophodynamics of free antibiotics and their conjugated forms in an estuarine food web. Total antibiotic levels differed insignificantly between the surface and bottom waters. The total mean values of free antibiotics in crabs, fish, shrimps, sea cucumbers, and snails varied from 0.77 to 1.4 ng/g (wet weight). The numbers and values of antibiotics rose in these biological samples after enzymatic hydrolysis. Conjugated antibiotics accounted for 23.8-76.9% of the total antibiotics in the biological samples, revealing that conjugated forms play a non-negligible role in aquatic organisms. More number of antibiotics exhibited bioaccumulation capabilities after enzymatic hydrolysis. In the food web, the free forms of anhydroerythromycin and conjugated forms of trimethoprim and ciprofloxacin underwent trophic dilution, whereas the free forms of trimethoprim and conjugated forms of ofloxacin underwent trophic amplification. The present work provides new insights into the bioaccumulation and trophic transfer of free and conjugated antibiotics in food webs.

A review of sources, pathways, and toxic effects of human exposure to benzophenone ultraviolet light filters

Benzophenone ultraviolet light filters (BPs) are high-production-volume chemicals extensively used in personal care products, leading to widespread human exposure. Given their estrogenic properties, the potential health risks associated with exposure to BPs have become a public health concern. This review aims to summarize sources and pathways of exposure to BPs and associated health risks. Dermal exposure, primarily through the use of sunscreens, constitutes a major pathway for BP exposure. At a recommended application rate, dermal exposure of BP-3 via the application of sunscreens may reach or exceed the suggested reference dose. Other exposure pathways to BPs, such as drinking water, seafood, and packaged foods, contribute minimal to the overall dose. Inhalation is a minor pathway of exposure; however, its contribution cannot be ignored. Human exposure to BPs is an order of magnitude higher in North America than in Asia and Europe. Studies conducted on laboratory animals and cells have consistently demonstrated the toxic effects of BP exposure. BPs are estrogenic and elicit reproductive and developmental toxicities. Furthermore, neurotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and carcinogenicity have been reported from chronic BP exposure. In addition to animal and cell studies, epidemiological investigations have identified associations between BPs and couples' fecundity and other reproductive disorders, as well as adverse birth outcomes. Further studies are urgently needed to understand the risks posed by BPs on human health.

Effects associated with exposure to the emerging contaminant octyl-methoxycinnamate (a UV-B filter) in the aquatic environment: a review

Given the increasing concern surrounding ultraviolet (UV) radiation-induced skin damage, there has been a rise in demand for UV filters. Currently, UV-filters are considered emerging contaminants. The extensive production and use of UV filters have led to their widespread release into the aquatic environment. Thus, there is growing concern that UV filters may bioaccumulate and exhibit persistent properties within the environment, raising several safety health concerns. Octyl-methoxycinnamate (OMC) is extensively employed as a UV-B filter in the cosmetic industry. While initially designed to mitigate the adverse photobiological effects attributed to UV radiation, the safety of OMC has been questioned with some studies reporting toxic effects on environment. The aim of this review to provide an overview of the scientific information regarding the most widely used organic UV-filter (OMC), and its effects on biodiversity and aquatic environment.

Sunscreens and micro(nano)plastics: Are we aware of these threats to the Egyptian coral reefs?

During a snorkeling trip to Marsa Alam and Hamata (southern Red Sea Riviera, Egypt) I explored the coral reefs and the diverse marine habitats of fish and invertebrate species. The area invites recreational diving and snorkeling, but the beaches are littered with all sorts of solid waste (mainly fragmented plastics). Also, there are no local restrictions on sunscreen use. The development of tourism to the area raises questions about the environmental impact and how its further growth will have on coral reefs. Every year, 1.2 million tourists visit the Red Sea coast (about 3287 tourists per day) and release about 1.7 tons/month of sunscreen into the Red Sea. As an ecologist and editorial board member of Science of the Total Environment, I ask myself how we as scientists can increase public awareness and call for prompt actions to protect the coral reefs. The discussion underlines two major threats to the Egyptian coral reefs: sunscreen use and micro(nano)plastics waste. The discussion closes with possible solutions, future perspectives, and recommendations to protect the coral reefs ecosystem of the Egyptian Red Sea.

Embryonic Exposure to the Benzotriazole Ultraviolet Stabilizer 2-(2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-4-methylphenol Decreases Fertility of Adult Zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Benzotriazole ultraviolet stabilizers (BUVSs) are emerging contaminants of concern. They are added to a variety of products, including building materials, personal care products, paints, and plastics, to prevent degradation caused by ultraviolet (UV) light. Despite widespread occurrence in aquatic environments, little is known regarding the effects of BUVSs on aquatic organisms. The aim of the present study was to characterize the effects of exposure to 2-(2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-4-methylphenol (UV-P) on the reproductive success of zebrafish (Danio rerio) following embryonic exposure. Embryos were exposed, by use of microinjection, to UV-P at <1.5 (control), 2.77, and 24.25 ng/g egg, and reared until sexual maturity, when reproductive performance was assessed, following which molecular and biochemical endpoints were analyzed. Exposure to UV-P did not have a significant effect on fecundity. However, there was a significant effect on fertilization success. Using UV-P-exposed males and females, fertility was decreased by 8.75% in the low treatment group and by 15.02% in the high treatment group relative to control. In a reproduction assay with UV-P-exposed males and control females, fertility was decreased by 11.47% in the high treatment group relative to the control. Embryonic exposure to UV-P might have perturbed male sex steroid synthesis as indicated by small changes in blood plasma concentrations of 17β-estradiol and 11-ketotestosterone, and small statistically nonsignificant decreases in mRNA abundances of cyp19a1a, cyp11c1, and hsd17b3. In addition, decreased transcript abundances of genes involved in spermatogenesis, such as nanos2 and dazl, were observed. Decreases in later stages of sperm development were observed, suggesting that embryonic exposure to UV-P impaired spematogenesis, resulting in decreased sperm quantity. The present study is the first to demonstrate latent effects of BUVSs, specifically on fish reproduction. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:385-397. © 2023 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals in Vietnamese marine fish: Occurrence, distribution, and risk assessment

The release of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) into the aquatic environment, specifically the oceans, is increasing, leading to adverse effects on the marine ecosystem. Using optimized QuEChERS extraction methods, the study created the first contamination profiles of 44 EDCs, including organic ultraviolet compounds, pharmaceutically active compounds, hormones, and phthalate esters, in 114 fish muscle samples from five species collected along the Vietnamese coast. The study found that largehead hairtail exhibited the highest total EDCs at 208.3 ng g-1 lipid weight (lw), while Indian catfish displayed the lowest concentration at 105.5 ng g-1 lw. Besides, the study observed notable variations in the total EDCs across distinct fish species. This study hypothesized that the marine economic characteristics of each research location have a significant role in shaping the pollution profile of EDCs found in fish specimens taken from the corresponding area. As a result, a notable disparity in the composition of organic ultraviolet compounds has been observed among the three regions of North, Central, and South Vietnam (Mann-Whitney U test, p < 0.05). Despite these findings, EDC-contaminated fish did not pose any health risks to Vietnam's coastal population.

Parabens and their metabolite in a marine benthic-dominated food web from the Beibu gulf, South China Sea: Occurrence, trophic transfer and health risk assessment

Parabens are of particular concern due to their ubiquity in aquatic environments and endocrine-disrupting effects. However, information on their bioaccumulation and trophic magnification is limited. In the present study, we performed a comprehensive survey to investigate the occurrence, bioaccumulation and trophic magnification of parabens and their metabolite 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (4-HB) in a marine food web from the Beibu Gulf, South China Sea. Results showed that methylparaben (MeP) and 4-HB were the predominant target pollutants in marine organisms, with their concentrations being in the range of 0.18-13.77 and 13.48-222.24 ng/g wet weight, respectively. The bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) for target analytes were all lower than 5000, suggesting negligible bioaccumulation. However, the biota-sediment accumulation factors (BSAFs) for MeP and 4-HB were 4.51 and 3.21, respectively, which indicates significant bioaccumulation from the sediment. Furthermore, the estimated trophic magnification factor (TMF) was 2.88 for MeP, suggesting its biomagnification along the food web. In contrast, a lower TMF of 0.45 was found for 4-HB, suggesting trophic dilution along the food web. The hazard quotients (HQs) for parabens were far less than 1 in all organisms, suggesting low risks for humans through consuming marine organisms from the Beibu Gulf. This study provides substantial data on the fate and trophic transfer of parabens in a subtropical marine ecosystem.

Spatial distribution, partitioning, and ecological risk assessment of benzotriazoles, benzothiazoles, and benzotriazole UV absorbers in the eastern shelf seas of China

Benzotriazoles (BTRs), benzothiazoles (BTHs), and benzotriazole UV stabilizers (BUVs) have attracted increasing attention due to their ubiquity in the environment, toxicity, and potential ecological risks. However, information on their distributions in the ocean is scarce. In this study, BTRs, BTHs, and BUVs were firstly determined in the surface seawater, sea-surface microlayer (SML), suspended particulate matter (SPM), and sediments of the Yellow Sea (YS) and East China Sea (ECS). The spatial distributions of BTRs, BTHs, and BUVs in the YS and ECS showed offshore decreasing trend in their concentrations, indicating that terrestrial inputs from runoff and rivers had important influences on their distributions. The organic carbon normalized partition coefficients (log Koc) of target contaminants in surface seawater-SPM (3.06-4.16 L/g) and bottom seawater-sediment (2.55-4.82 L/kg) systems were determined. SPM showed greater sorption capacities for most target contaminants than the sediment. The burial capacities of BTHs, BTRs, and BUVs from SPM to surface sediments were evaluated using their respective log Kow values and their sedimentary fluxes in the YS and ECS were quantified. BTRs, BTHs, and BUVs were enriched in the SML, with the enrichment extents of the suspended particulate phase being obviously lower than those of the dissolved phase. The ecological risks of BTRs, BTHs, and BUVs were evaluated using the risk quotient (RQ) method, which showed no toxic risk to aquatic organisms throughout the water phases, but high risk in nearshore sediments.

Organic UV absorbents in the deepwater redfish (Sebastes mentella) from the St. Lawrence Estuary and Gulf: Distribution and human health risk assessment

UV absorbents (UVAs), such as organic UV filters (UVFs) and benzotriazole UV stabilizers (BZT-UVs), are used in a wide range of consumer and industrial products and they are contaminants of emerging concern in the environment. However, their occurrence and fate in the deep-sea environments are inadequately understood. This study investigated the occurrence and distribution of five UVFs and ten BZT-UVs in the muscle (n = 127) of 2019-collected deepwater redfish (Sebastes mentella) from the St. Lawrence Estuary and Gulf (SLEG) (Canada) to better understand the accumulation of these contaminants in deep-sea fish. Small redfish (<30 cm) tended to have higher concentrations of UVAs in the muscle than that of larger specimens (>30 cm). The UVF 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone (BP3) was the most frequently detected (present in 34 % of all samples) target UVA, with concentrations as high as 413 ng/g (dry weight). According to the δ15N and δ13C data, pelagic-eating redfish, and individuals with lower trophic levels had higher lipid content and accumulated more BP3 in their muscles. Four BZT-UVs were detected in redfish muscle, but the detection frequency was lower than 30 %. The estimated hazard quotient for these contaminants was <2.3 × 10-2 for general Canadian populations, indicating that they are unlikely to pose health risks to humans through redfish consumption. Factors influencing UVAs bioaccumulation in redfish, as well as the effects UVAs may have on deep-sea species, should be researched further.

Occurrence, Distribution, and Trophic Transfer of Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products in the Bohai Sea

The ubiquitous presence of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in environments has aroused global concerns; however, minimal information is available regarding their multimedia distribution, bioaccumulation, and trophic transfer in marine environments. Herein, we analyzed 77 representative PPCPs in samples of surface and bottom seawater, surface sediments, and benthic biota from the Bohai Sea. PPCPs were pervasively detected in seawater, sediments, and benthic biota, with antioxidants being the most abundant PPCPs. PPCP concentrations positively correlated between the surface and bottom water with a decreasing trend from the coast to the central oceans. Higher PPCP concentrations in sediment were found in the Yellow River estuary, and the variations in the physicochemical properties of PPCPs and sediment produced a different distribution pattern of PPCPs in sediment from seawater. The log Dow, but not log Kow, showed a linear and positive relationship with bioaccumulation and trophic magnification factors and a parabolic relationship with biota-sediment accumulation factors. The trophodynamics of miconazole and acetophenone are reported for the first time. This study provides novel insights into the multimedia distribution and biomagnification potential of PPCPs and suggests that log Dow is a better indicator of their bioaccumulation and trophic magnification.

Physiological impact of personal care product constituents on non-target aquatic organisms

Personal care products (PCPs) are products used in cleaning, beautification, grooming, and personal hygiene. The rise in diversity, usage, and availability of PCPs has resulted in their higher accumulation in the environment. Thus, these constitute an emerging category of environmental contaminants due to the potential of its constituents (chemical and non-chemical) to induce various physiological effects even at lower concentrations (ng/L). For analyzing the impact of the PCPs constituents on the non-target organism about 300 article including research articles, review articles and guidelines were studied from 2000 to 2023. This review aims to firstly discuss the fate and accumulation of PCPs in the aquatic environment and organisms; secondly provides overview of environmental risks that are linked to PCPs; thirdly review the trends, current status of regulations and risks associated with PCPs and finally discuss the knowledge gaps and future perspectives for future research. The article discusses important constituents of PCPs such as antimicrobials, cleansing agents and disinfectants, fragrances, insect repellent, moisturizers, plasticizers, preservatives, surfactants, UV filters, and UV stabilizers. Each of them has been found to display certain toxic impact on the aquatic organisms especially the plasticizers and UV filters. These continuously and persistently release biologically active and inactive components which interferes with the physiological system of the non-target organism such as fish, corals, shrimps, bivalves, algae, etc. With a rise in the number of toxicity reports, concerns are being raised over the potential impacts of these contaminant on aquatic organism and humans. The rate of adoption of nanotechnology in PCPs is greater than the evaluation of the safety risk associated with the nano-additives. Hence, this review article presents the current state of knowledge on PCPs in aquatic ecosystems.

Organic ultraviolet absorbents in soils and typical plants from an industrial metropolis in China: Concentrations, profiles and environmental implications

There is accumulating evidence of the toxicity of organic ultraviolet absorbers (OUVAs); however, limited information is available regarding the presence of OUVAs in terrestrial environments and organisms. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the occurrence of 11 OUVAs in soils and typical plant species from an industrial metropolis in China. Total OUVA concentrations in soils ranged from 1.30 to 80.3 ng g-1 DW. Based on comparison with previously reported data, OUVA contamination in soil was not severe. Benzophenone and octocrylene were the dominant OUVAs in soils, with median contributions to total concentrations of 25% and 15%, respectively. Source assessment revealed that the observed OUVA contamination primarily originated from industrial activities and the use of personal care products. The concentration of 11 OUVAs in plants ranged from 159 to 4470 ng g-1 DW, at high levels. Our findings imply that great attention should be given to the presence of these chemicals in plants because of the risk they could pose as well as the potential for biomagnification as plants are eaten by insects and birds. Our results also indicate the necessity to further study the geochemical behavior of these chemicals in urban ecosystems in order to better manage the harmfulness to terrestrial ecological health caused by their exposure through the food chains.

The development and application of a novel hazard scoring tool for assessing impacts of cosmetic ingredients on aquatic ecosystems: A case study of rinse-off cosmetics

The cosmetic industry has been committed to promoting less hazardous products to reduce the environmental impacts of cosmetic ingredients. This requires identifying safer cosmetic ingredients for developing cosmetic formulations that are less harmful to the environment. However, one of the challenges in developing eco-friendly cosmetics relies on integrating all environmental hazard (EH) information of cosmetic ingredients to select the most eco-friendly ones (i.e., ingredients least harmful to the aquatic environment). Thus, we developed a hazard scoring tool (IARA matrix), which integrates data on biodegradation, bioaccumulation, and acute aquatic toxicity, providing a hazard index to classify cosmetic ingredients (raw materials) into categories of EH (low, moderate, high, or very high). The classification of the IARA was based on parameters established by Cradle to Cradle (C2C), the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), and European Regulation 1272/2008, considering the most conservative values of each source. The Leopold matrix was employed as a model for the tool, using a numerical scale from 0 to 6 (lowest to highest EH). According to the IARA, we have successfully demonstrated that ultraviolet (UV) filter ingredients have the highest EH out of 41 cosmetic ingredients commonly used for rinse-off products. In addition to UV filters, triclosan (bactericide) and dimethicone (emollient) presented the second-highest EH for aquatic ecosystems, and humectants presented the lowest hazard index. By applying the IARA in the case study of rinse-off products, we have estimated that the aquatic hazard of cosmetic products can be reduced 46% by identifying less hazardous ingredients and combining them into a cosmetic formulation. In summary, the IARA tool allows the estimation of the EH of cosmetic ingredients, provides safer products, and helps achieve sustainability for cosmetic products. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2023;19:1619-1635. © 2023 SETAC.

Occurrence and ecological risk assessment of organic UV filters in coastal waters of the Iberian Peninsula

This study aimed to assess the presence of 21 UVFs and metabolites in coastal regions of the Iberian Peninsula, to evaluate their environmental risk, and identify possible influential factors affecting their measured concentrations. Sampling was carried out in spring and summer to assess possible seasonal variations. UVFs were detected in 43 of the 46 sampling sites. Only 5 were found above LOD: BP4, OC, BP3 and metabolites BP1 and BP8. Samples collected in Mar Menor had the greatest variety of compounds per sample and the highest cumulative concentrations. The risk was characterized using Risk Quotients (RQ). BP1 showed a Low environmental Risk in 2 sites while for OC the RQ indicated a Moderate Risk in 22 points. The variables that contribute most to the variation are population density, sampling season, whether it was an open bay or not, and level of urbanization. The presence of WWTPs had a lower influence.

Review of Endocrine Disrupting Compounds (EDCs) in China's water environments: Implications for environmental fate, transport and health risks

Endocrine Disrupting Compounds (EDCs) are ubiquitous in soil and water system and have become a great issue of environmental and public health concern since the 1990s. However, the occurrence and mechanism(s) of EDCs' migration and transformation at the watershed scale are poorly understood. A review of EDCs pollution in China's major watersheds (and comparison to other countries) has been carried out to better assess these issues and associated ecological risks, compiling a large amount of data. Comparing the distribution characteristics of EDCs in water environments around the world and analyzing various measures and systems for managing EDCs internationally, the significant insights of the review are: 1) There are significant spatial differences and concentration variations of EDCs in surface water and groundwater in China, yet all regions present non-negligible ecological risks. 2) The hyporheic zone, as a transitional zone of surface water and groundwater interaction, can effectively adsorb and degrade EDCs and prevent the migration of high concentrations of EDCs from surface water to groundwater. This suggests that more attention needs to be paid to the role played by critical zones in water environments, when considering the removal of EDCs in water environments. 3) In China, there is a lack of comprehensive and effective regulations to limit and reduce EDCs generated during human activities and their discharge into the water environment. 4) To prevent the deterioration of surface water and groundwater quality, the monitoring and management of EDCs in water environments should be strengthened in China. This review provides a thorough survey of scientifically valid data and recommendations for the development of policies for the management of EDCs in China's water environment.

Impact of benzophenone-3 on the integument and gills of zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Benzophenone (BP-3) is an organic compound that is a common ingredient in lotions, conditioners, and other personal care products, which helps protect against ultraviolet radiation. This study investigated the effect of BP-3 on the structure of the integument and gills, as well as the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in the gills of Danio rerio. Fish were exposed to different concentrations (7, 70, and 700 µg L-1) of BP-3 for 7 and 14 d. For the histological analysis of the integument and gills, the fish were fixed in Bouin liquid and processed according to standard histologic procedures, and the tissue section slices were stained according to different histochemical methods. BP-3 caused tissue damage and morphological alterations in the gills; however, the integument showed no histological or morphological alterations. Furthermore, there was no observed correlation between the BP-3 concentration and exposure period and the gill alterations, as these did not occur in a linear manner. The gills were removed to evaluate the antioxidant defense; for this, CAT and SOD activities were measured, and a reduction of SOD activity was noted, whereas the CAT activity was not significantly affected.

Occurrence, spatio-temporal variation and ecological risk assessment of benzotriazole ultraviolet stabilizers (BUVs) in water and sediment of rivers in central India

Occurrence of benzotriazole ultraviolet stabilizers (BUVs) in different environmental matrices has attracted researchers and regulatory agencies worldwide due to its persistency, bioaccumulative and toxic properties. Environmental occurrence of BUVs in Indian freshwater is lacking. The present study analyzed six targeted BUVs in surface water and sediments of three rivers of Central India. BUVs were determined in pre- and post-monsoon seasons to reveal their concentration, spatio-temporal distribution and probable ecological risks. Results indicated that total concentration of BUVs (ƩBUVs) ranged from ND to 42.88 μg/L in water, and ND to 165.26 ng/g in sediments with UV-329 as the predominant BUV in surface water and sediments during pre- and post-monsoon seasons. Surface water samples from Pili River, and sediment of Nag River accounted for maximum BUVs concentration. Partitioning coefficient results confirmed the effective transfer of BUVs from overlaying water to sediments. The observed concentration of BUVs in water and sediments posed low ecological risk to planktons. Untreated municipal discharges and poor waste management practices including dumping of wastes might be the sources of BUVs in water bodies.

The response of aquatic ecosystems to the interactive effects of stratospheric ozone depletion, UV radiation, and climate change

Variations in stratospheric ozone and changes in the aquatic environment by climate change and human activity are modifying the exposure of aquatic ecosystems to UV radiation. These shifts in exposure have consequences for the distributions of species, biogeochemical cycles, and services provided by aquatic ecosystems. This Quadrennial Assessment presents the latest knowledge on the multi-faceted interactions between the effects of UV irradiation and climate change, and other anthropogenic activities, and how these conditions are changing aquatic ecosystems. Climate change results in variations in the depth of mixing, the thickness of ice cover, the duration of ice-free conditions and inputs of dissolved organic matter, all of which can either increase or decrease exposure to UV radiation. Anthropogenic activities release oil, UV filters in sunscreens, and microplastics into the aquatic environment that are then modified by UV radiation, frequently amplifying adverse effects on aquatic organisms and their environments. The impacts of these changes in combination with factors such as warming and ocean acidification are considered for aquatic micro-organisms, macroalgae, plants, and animals (floating, swimming, and attached). Minimising the disruptive consequences of these effects on critical services provided by the world's rivers, lakes and oceans (freshwater supply, recreation, transport, and food security) will not only require continued adherence to the Montreal Protocol but also a wider inclusion of solar UV radiation and its effects in studies and/or models of aquatic ecosystems under conditions of the future global climate.

Spatiotemporal trends of ultraviolet absorbents in oysters from the Pearl River Estuary, south China during 2015-2020

Ultraviolet absorbents (UVAs) are widely used in various industrial materials, pharmaceuticals, and personal care products, resulting in their frequent occurrences in sediment, water, and biota. However, our understanding of the spatiotemporal characteristics and long-term contamination status of UVAs is still limited. Here, a 6-year biomonitoring study with oysters during wet and dry seasons was conducted to examine the annual, seasonal, and spatial characteristics of UVAs in the Pearl River Estuary (PRE), China. The concentrations of Σ₆UVA ranged from 9.1 to 119 (geometric mean ± standard deviation: 31 ± 22) ng/g dry wt. and peaked in 2018. Significant spatiotemporal variations in UVA contamination were observed. The concentrations of UVAs in oysters during the wet season were higher than the dry season, and concentrations in the more industrialized eastern coast were higher than the western coast (p < 0.05). Environmental factors, including precipitation, temperature, and salinity in water significantly impacted the UVA bioaccumulation in the oysters. The present study highlights that long-term biomonitoring with oysters provided valuable insight in the magnitude and seasonal variation of UVAs in this highly dynamic estuary.

Trophodynamic of endocrine disrupting compounds in the aquatic food webs: Association with hydrophobicity and biota metabolic rate

Increasing concentration of endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) are released into the aquatic environment, resulting in irreversible effects on the endocrine and reproductive systems of biota. How the liver enzymes affect metabolic rate of these compounds and thus their structure-related trophic transfer in aquatic food webs remains largely unknown. In this study, the concentrations of seven common EDCs were measured in 15 species of fish, 7 invertebrate species and plankton collected from Liuxi River to Pearl River, South China. The mean ΣEDC concentrations generally were found to increase as follows: plankton (29.59 ng g^-1 dw) < invertebrate species (50.69 ng g^-1 dw) < fish (122.56 ng g^-1 dw), with 4-nonylphenol (4-NP) and bisphenol S (BPS) as the predominant components. Trophic magnification factors (TMFs) values were >1.0 ranged from 1.30 (BPS) to 4.07 (4-NP), indicating trophic magnification potential. Measurement of metabolism and activities of microsomal CYP450 enzymes were performed in the fish liver microsomes of Hypophthalmichthys molitrix ([TL] = 2.27), Cirrhinus mrigala (TL = 3.87) and Odontamblyopus rubicundus (TL = 4.73). TMFs were significantly negatively correlated with the obtained in vitro biotransformation clearance rates (CL _{in vitro}) of EDCs and CYP450 enzymes activities. A multiple linear regression model indicated that biotransformation clearance is a more powerful predictor for TMFs than the hydrophobicity (Kow) to drive changes in the studied aquatic food web trophodynamics.

Occurrence, bioaccumulation and ecological risk of organic ultraviolet absorbers in multiple coastal and offshore coral communities of the South China Sea

The occurrence of organic ultraviolet absorbers (OUVAs) in coral reef regions has aroused widespread concern. This study focused on the occurrence, distribution, bioaccumulation and ecological risk of ten OUVAs in both coastal and offshore coral reef regions in the South China Sea. While the Σ₁₀OUVAs was 85 % lower in the offshore seawater (15.1 ng/L) than in the coastal seawater (102.1 ng/L), the Σ₁₀OUVAs was 21 % lower in the offshore corals (1.82 μg/g dry weight (dw)) than in the coastal corals (2.31 μg/g dw). This difference was speculated to relate to the high intensity of human activities in the coastal regions. Moreover, the offshore corals showed higher bioaccumulative capability toward OUVAs (log bioaccumulation factors (BAFs): 1.22-5.07) than the coastal corals (log BAFs: 0.17-4.38), which was presumably the influence of varied physiological status under different environmental conditions. The results of the ecological risk assessment showed that BP-3 resulted in 73 % of coastal corals and 20 % of offshore corals at a risk of bleaching. Therefore, the usage and discharge of BP-3 should be managed and controlled by the countries adjacent to the South China Sea for the protection of coral reefs.

Development and Validation of a DLLME-GC-MS-MS Method for the Determination of Benzotriazole UV Stabilizer UV-327 and Its Metabolites in Human Blood

2-(5-Chloro-benzotriazol-2-yl)-4,6-di-(tert-butyl)phenol (UV-327) is used as an ultraviolet (UV) absorber in plastic materials and coatings. To investigate its metabolism and to assess human exposure, analytical methods are necessary for the determination of UV-327 and its metabolites in human biological specimens. The method thus presented targets the determination of UV-327 and several of its predicted metabolites in blood using protein precipitation, dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) and derivatization. The trimethylsilylated analytes and internal standards are separated by gas chromatography and analyzed with tandem mass spectrometry. The DLLME procedure was optimized with respect to the type and volume of disperser and extraction solvents, the pH value of the sample solution and the addition of salt. During method development, an effective ex vivo lactone/hydroxyl carboxylic acid interconversion was observed for two metabolites, each containing a carboxyl group adjacent to the phenolic hydroxyl group. The analytes resulting from interconversion enabled a more sensitive and reliable determination of the metabolites compared to their native structures. Method validation revealed limits of detection between 0.02 and 0.36 µg/L. The mean relative recovery rates ranged from 91% to 118%. Precision and repeatability were demonstrated by relative standard deviations in the range of 0.6-14.2% and 1.1-13.7%, respectively. The presently described procedure enables the sensitive and robust analysis of UV-327 and its metabolites in human blood and allows the elucidation of the human UV-327 metabolism as well as the assessment of exposure in potentially exposed individuals.

The Minderoo-Monaco Commission on Plastics and Human Health

Background

Plastics have conveyed great benefits to humanity and made possible some of the most significant advances of modern civilization in fields as diverse as medicine, electronics, aerospace, construction, food packaging, and sports. It is now clear, however, that plastics are also responsible for significant harms to human health, the economy, and the earth's environment. These harms occur at every stage of the plastic life cycle, from extraction of the coal, oil, and gas that are its main feedstocks through to ultimate disposal into the environment. The extent of these harms not been systematically assessed, their magnitude not fully quantified, and their economic costs not comprehensively counted.

Goals

The goals of this Minderoo-Monaco Commission on Plastics and Human Health are to comprehensively examine plastics' impacts across their life cycle on: (1) human health and well-being; (2) the global environment, especially the ocean; (3) the economy; and (4) vulnerable populations-the poor, minorities, and the world's children. On the basis of this examination, the Commission offers science-based recommendations designed to support development of a Global Plastics Treaty, protect human health, and save lives.

Report Structure

This Commission report contains seven Sections. Following an Introduction, Section 2 presents a narrative review of the processes involved in plastic production, use, and disposal and notes the hazards to human health and the environment associated with each of these stages. Section 3 describes plastics' impacts on the ocean and notes the potential for plastic in the ocean to enter the marine food web and result in human exposure. Section 4 details plastics' impacts on human health. Section 5 presents a first-order estimate of plastics' health-related economic costs. Section 6 examines the intersection between plastic, social inequity, and environmental injustice. Section 7 presents the Commission's findings and recommendations.

Plastics

Plastics are complex, highly heterogeneous, synthetic chemical materials. Over 98% of plastics are produced from fossil carbon- coal, oil and gas. Plastics are comprised of a carbon-based polymer backbone and thousands of additional chemicals that are incorporated into polymers to convey specific properties such as color, flexibility, stability, water repellence, flame retardation, and ultraviolet resistance. Many of these added chemicals are highly toxic. They include carcinogens, neurotoxicants and endocrine disruptors such as phthalates, bisphenols, per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), brominated flame retardants, and organophosphate flame retardants. They are integral components of plastic and are responsible for many of plastics' harms to human health and the environment.Global plastic production has increased almost exponentially since World War II, and in this time more than 8,300 megatons (Mt) of plastic have been manufactured. Annual production volume has grown from under 2 Mt in 1950 to 460 Mt in 2019, a 230-fold increase, and is on track to triple by 2060. More than half of all plastic ever made has been produced since 2002. Single-use plastics account for 35-40% of current plastic production and represent the most rapidly growing segment of plastic manufacture.Explosive recent growth in plastics production reflects a deliberate pivot by the integrated multinational fossil-carbon corporations that produce coal, oil and gas and that also manufacture plastics. These corporations are reducing their production of fossil fuels and increasing plastics manufacture. The two principal factors responsible for this pivot are decreasing global demand for carbon-based fuels due to increases in 'green' energy, and massive expansion of oil and gas production due to fracking.Plastic manufacture is energy-intensive and contributes significantly to climate change. At present, plastic production is responsible for an estimated 3.7% of global greenhouse gas emissions, more than the contribution of Brazil. This fraction is projected to increase to 4.5% by 2060 if current trends continue unchecked.

Plastic Life Cycle

The plastic life cycle has three phases: production, use, and disposal. In production, carbon feedstocks-coal, gas, and oil-are transformed through energy-intensive, catalytic processes into a vast array of products. Plastic use occurs in every aspect of modern life and results in widespread human exposure to the chemicals contained in plastic. Single-use plastics constitute the largest portion of current use, followed by synthetic fibers and construction.Plastic disposal is highly inefficient, with recovery and recycling rates below 10% globally. The result is that an estimated 22 Mt of plastic waste enters the environment each year, much of it single-use plastic and are added to the more than 6 gigatons of plastic waste that have accumulated since 1950. Strategies for disposal of plastic waste include controlled and uncontrolled landfilling, open burning, thermal conversion, and export. Vast quantities of plastic waste are exported each year from high-income to low-income countries, where it accumulates in landfills, pollutes air and water, degrades vital ecosystems, befouls beaches and estuaries, and harms human health-environmental injustice on a global scale. Plastic-laden e-waste is particularly problematic.

Environmental Findings

Plastics and plastic-associated chemicals are responsible for widespread pollution. They contaminate aquatic (marine and freshwater), terrestrial, and atmospheric environments globally. The ocean is the ultimate destination for much plastic, and plastics are found throughout the ocean, including coastal regions, the sea surface, the deep sea, and polar sea ice. Many plastics appear to resist breakdown in the ocean and could persist in the global environment for decades. Macro- and micro-plastic particles have been identified in hundreds of marine species in all major taxa, including species consumed by humans. Trophic transfer of microplastic particles and the chemicals within them has been demonstrated. Although microplastic particles themselves (>10 µm) appear not to undergo biomagnification, hydrophobic plastic-associated chemicals bioaccumulate in marine animals and biomagnify in marine food webs. The amounts and fates of smaller microplastic and nanoplastic particles (MNPs <10 µm) in aquatic environments are poorly understood, but the potential for harm is worrying given their mobility in biological systems. Adverse environmental impacts of plastic pollution occur at multiple levels from molecular and biochemical to population and ecosystem. MNP contamination of seafood results in direct, though not well quantified, human exposure to plastics and plastic-associated chemicals. Marine plastic pollution endangers the ocean ecosystems upon which all humanity depends for food, oxygen, livelihood, and well-being.

Human Health Findings

Coal miners, oil workers and gas field workers who extract fossil carbon feedstocks for plastic production suffer increased mortality from traumatic injury, coal workers' pneumoconiosis, silicosis, cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and lung cancer. Plastic production workers are at increased risk of leukemia, lymphoma, hepatic angiosarcoma, brain cancer, breast cancer, mesothelioma, neurotoxic injury, and decreased fertility. Workers producing plastic textiles die of bladder cancer, lung cancer, mesothelioma, and interstitial lung disease at increased rates. Plastic recycling workers have increased rates of cardiovascular disease, toxic metal poisoning, neuropathy, and lung cancer. Residents of "fenceline" communities adjacent to plastic production and waste disposal sites experience increased risks of premature birth, low birth weight, asthma, childhood leukemia, cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and lung cancer.During use and also in disposal, plastics release toxic chemicals including additives and residual monomers into the environment and into people. National biomonitoring surveys in the USA document population-wide exposures to these chemicals. Plastic additives disrupt endocrine function and increase risk for premature births, neurodevelopmental disorders, male reproductive birth defects, infertility, obesity, cardiovascular disease, renal disease, and cancers. Chemical-laden MNPs formed through the environmental degradation of plastic waste can enter living organisms, including humans. Emerging, albeit still incomplete evidence indicates that MNPs may cause toxicity due to their physical and toxicological effects as well as by acting as vectors that transport toxic chemicals and bacterial pathogens into tissues and cells.Infants in the womb and young children are two populations at particularly high risk of plastic-related health effects. Because of the exquisite sensitivity of early development to hazardous chemicals and children's unique patterns of exposure, plastic-associated exposures are linked to increased risks of prematurity, stillbirth, low birth weight, birth defects of the reproductive organs, neurodevelopmental impairment, impaired lung growth, and childhood cancer. Early-life exposures to plastic-associated chemicals also increase the risk of multiple non-communicable diseases later in life.

Economic Findings

Plastic's harms to human health result in significant economic costs. We estimate that in 2015 the health-related costs of plastic production exceeded $250 billion (2015 Int$) globally, and that in the USA alone the health costs of disease and disability caused by the plastic-associated chemicals PBDE, BPA and DEHP exceeded $920 billion (2015 Int$). Plastic production results in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions equivalent to 1.96 gigatons of carbon dioxide (CO2e) annually. Using the US Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) social cost of carbon metric, we estimate the annual costs of these GHG emissions to be $341 billion (2015 Int$).These costs, large as they are, almost certainly underestimate the full economic losses resulting from plastics' negative impacts on human health and the global environment. All of plastics' economic costs-and also its social costs-are externalized by the petrochemical and plastic manufacturing industry and are borne by citizens, taxpayers, and governments in countries around the world without compensation.

Social Justice Findings

The adverse effects of plastics and plastic pollution on human health, the economy and the environment are not evenly distributed. They disproportionately affect poor, disempowered, and marginalized populations such as workers, racial and ethnic minorities, "fenceline" communities, Indigenous groups, women, and children, all of whom had little to do with creating the current plastics crisis and lack the political influence or the resources to address it. Plastics' harmful impacts across its life cycle are most keenly felt in the Global South, in small island states, and in disenfranchised areas in the Global North. Social and environmental justice (SEJ) principles require reversal of these inequitable burdens to ensure that no group bears a disproportionate share of plastics' negative impacts and that those who benefit economically from plastic bear their fair share of its currently externalized costs.

Conclusions

It is now clear that current patterns of plastic production, use, and disposal are not sustainable and are responsible for significant harms to human health, the environment, and the economy as well as for deep societal injustices.The main driver of these worsening harms is an almost exponential and still accelerating increase in global plastic production. Plastics' harms are further magnified by low rates of recovery and recycling and by the long persistence of plastic waste in the environment.The thousands of chemicals in plastics-monomers, additives, processing agents, and non-intentionally added substances-include amongst their number known human carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, neurotoxicants, and persistent organic pollutants. These chemicals are responsible for many of plastics' known harms to human and planetary health. The chemicals leach out of plastics, enter the environment, cause pollution, and result in human exposure and disease. All efforts to reduce plastics' hazards must address the hazards of plastic-associated chemicals.

Recommendations

To protect human and planetary health, especially the health of vulnerable and at-risk populations, and put the world on track to end plastic pollution by 2040, this Commission supports urgent adoption by the world's nations of a strong and comprehensive Global Plastics Treaty in accord with the mandate set forth in the March 2022 resolution of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA).International measures such as a Global Plastics Treaty are needed to curb plastic production and pollution, because the harms to human health and the environment caused by plastics, plastic-associated chemicals and plastic waste transcend national boundaries, are planetary in their scale, and have disproportionate impacts on the health and well-being of people in the world's poorest nations. Effective implementation of the Global Plastics Treaty will require that international action be coordinated and complemented by interventions at the national, regional, and local levels.This Commission urges that a cap on global plastic production with targets, timetables, and national contributions be a central provision of the Global Plastics Treaty. We recommend inclusion of the following additional provisions:The Treaty needs to extend beyond microplastics and marine litter to include all of the many thousands of chemicals incorporated into plastics.The Treaty needs to include a provision banning or severely restricting manufacture and use of unnecessary, avoidable, and problematic plastic items, especially single-use items such as manufactured plastic microbeads.The Treaty needs to include requirements on extended producer responsibility (EPR) that make fossil carbon producers, plastic producers, and the manufacturers of plastic products legally and financially responsible for the safety and end-of-life management of all the materials they produce and sell.The Treaty needs to mandate reductions in the chemical complexity of plastic products; health-protective standards for plastics and plastic additives; a requirement for use of sustainable non-toxic materials; full disclosure of all components; and traceability of components. International cooperation will be essential to implementing and enforcing these standards.The Treaty needs to include SEJ remedies at each stage of the plastic life cycle designed to fill gaps in community knowledge and advance both distributional and procedural equity.This Commission encourages inclusion in the Global Plastic Treaty of a provision calling for exploration of listing at least some plastic polymers as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) under the Stockholm Convention.This Commission encourages a strong interface between the Global Plastics Treaty and the Basel and London Conventions to enhance management of hazardous plastic waste and slow current massive exports of plastic waste into the world's least-developed countries.This Commission recommends the creation of a Permanent Science Policy Advisory Body to guide the Treaty's implementation. The main priorities of this Body would be to guide Member States and other stakeholders in evaluating which solutions are most effective in reducing plastic consumption, enhancing plastic waste recovery and recycling, and curbing the generation of plastic waste. This Body could also assess trade-offs among these solutions and evaluate safer alternatives to current plastics. It could monitor the transnational export of plastic waste. It could coordinate robust oceanic-, land-, and air-based MNP monitoring programs.This Commission recommends urgent investment by national governments in research into solutions to the global plastic crisis. This research will need to determine which solutions are most effective and cost-effective in the context of particular countries and assess the risks and benefits of proposed solutions. Oceanographic and environmental research is needed to better measure concentrations and impacts of plastics <10 µm and understand their distribution and fate in the global environment. Biomedical research is needed to elucidate the human health impacts of plastics, especially MNPs.

Summary

This Commission finds that plastics are both a boon to humanity and a stealth threat to human and planetary health. Plastics convey enormous benefits, but current linear patterns of plastic production, use, and disposal that pay little attention to sustainable design or safe materials and a near absence of recovery, reuse, and recycling are responsible for grave harms to health, widespread environmental damage, great economic costs, and deep societal injustices. These harms are rapidly worsening.While there remain gaps in knowledge about plastics' harms and uncertainties about their full magnitude, the evidence available today demonstrates unequivocally that these impacts are great and that they will increase in severity in the absence of urgent and effective intervention at global scale. Manufacture and use of essential plastics may continue. However, reckless increases in plastic production, and especially increases in the manufacture of an ever-increasing array of unnecessary single-use plastic products, need to be curbed.Global intervention against the plastic crisis is needed now because the costs of failure to act will be immense.

Environmental impacts of the ultraviolet filter oxybenzone

Organic UV filters are emerging contaminants with increasing evidence of their negative impact on environmental health and water quality. One of the most common and environmentally relevant organic UV filters is oxybenzone (OBZ). While much of the initial focus has been on investigating the interaction of OBZ with coral reefs, there have been several recent studies that indicate that organic UV filters are affecting other environmental endpoints, including marine animals, algae, and plants. OBZ has been found to bioaccumulate in marine animals such as fish and mussels and then potentially acting as an endocrine disruptor. In plants, exposure to OBZ has been associated with decreased photosynthesis, inhibited seed germination, and impaired plant growth. In this review, we summarize the current state of knowledge regarding the environmental impacts of OBZ and suggest potential future directions.

Bioaccumulation and Trophic Transfer of Organophosphate Flame Retardants and Their Metabolites in the Estuarine Food Web of the Pearl River, China

The accumulation and trophodynamics of organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) and their metabolites were investigated in the estuarine food web of the Pearl River, China. The mean ∑OPFR concentration among the investigated species increased in the following order: fish [431 ± 346 ng/g lipid weight (lw)] < snail (1310 ± 621 ng/g lw) < shrimp (1581 ± 1134 ng/g lw) < crab (1744 ± 1397 ng/g lw). The di-alkyl phosphates (DAPs) of di-(n-butyl) phosphate (DNBP), bis(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate (BBOEP), and diphenyl phosphate (DPHP) were the most abundant metabolites, with concentrations same as or even higher than their corresponding parent compounds. The log bioaccumulation factors for most OPFRs were lower than 3.70, and significant biomagnification was only found for trisphenyl phosphate [TPHP, with the trophic magnification factors (TMFs) > 1]. The TMFs of OPFRs, except for TPHP and tributyl phosphate had a positive correlation with lipophilicity (log K_OW, p ≤ 0.05) and a negative correlation with the biotransformation rate (log K_M, p ≤ 0.05). The mean TMF > 1 was observed for all of the OPFR metabolites based on the bootstrap regression method. The "pseudo-biomagnification" of OPFR metabolites might be attributed to the biotransformation of OPFRs in organisms at high trophic levels.

Seasonal occurrence and risk assessment of endocrine-disrupting compounds in Tagus estuary biota (NE Atlantic Ocean coast)

Estuaries are continually threatened by anthropogenic pressures, consequently, a large group of contaminants harmful to human health affects the aquatic biota; therefore, it is necessary to monitor their quality. This study deals with the determination of a large group of compounds representing different endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) classes [21 pesticides, 4 polycyclic musk fragrances, 4 UV-filters, 7 bisphenols, 6 polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and 8 of their methoxylated (MeO-BDEs)] in several estuarine species (fish, bivalves, crustaceans, earthworm, and macroalgae) collected seasonally along one year in two distinct areas of Tagus River estuary ("contaminated" vs. "clean" areas). The most abundant compounds found were galaxolide (HHCB) (81% positive samples; 0.04-74 ng/g ww), isoamyl 4-methoxycinnamate (IMC) (64%; 1.13-251 ng/g ww), alachlor (44%; 0.08-16 ng/g ww), and BDE-47 (36%; 0.06-2.26 ng/g ww). Polycyclic musks were the most frequent contaminants in fish (seabass, barbus, mullet, and sole) and macroalgae samples, while UV-filters were predominant in bivalves and crustaceans, and bisphenols in earthworms. Seasonal variation was verified for Σpesticides and Σmusks, with significantly higher levels in summer and autumn, whereas ΣUV-filters highest levels were found in spring and summer, and for ΣPBDEs statistically higher levels were registered in cold seasons (autumn and winter). Σbisphenols were significantly lower in spring than in the other seasons. In general, considering all species analysed in both areas, no statistically significant differences (p > 0.05) were verified between the two collection areas. Based on the estimated daily intake data, consumption of fish from this estuary is unlikely to be a human health concern, since the levels of contamination were below the toxicological threshold values. Overall, the data obtained in this study will allow regulatory authorities to identify and prioritize contaminants monitoring programs in estuaries, such as the case of bisphenol A, which was found, for the first time, in earthworm and clam species.

Human health risk assessment of cinnamate UV absorbers: In vitro and in silico investigations

Organic UV absorbers (UVAs) are contaminants of emerging concern. Environmental persistence and potential toxicological enrichment studies of UVAs have attracted international concern. It is important to study the toxicity mechanism of UVAs. This study is the first to report the toxicological mechanism of two cinnamate UV absorbers (CUVAs), 2-ethyl 4-methoxycinnamate (OMC) and isoamyl 4-methoxycinnamate (IMC) based on cellular models and molecular models. Cellular models demonstrated that the CUVAs-induced apoptosis might be associated with cellular mitochondrial damage pathways. The results of molecular models showed that OMC and IMC could affect the binding between major proteins and enzymes in the mitochondrial damage pathway and contaminants, ultimately leading to apoptosis. The cellular-molecular models showed that IMC and OMC have dose-effect relationships on cytotoxicity. The composite model is more informative than a single model. This study further indicate that UVAs causes toxicology effects that have implications for the environment and human health.

Occurrence and Temporal Trends of Benzotriazole UV Stabilizers in Mollusks (2010-2018) from the Chinese Bohai Sea Revealed by Target, Suspect, and Nontarget Screening Analysis

Benzotriazole UV stabilizers (BZT-UVs), including 2-(3,5-di-tert-amyl-2-hydroxyphenyl)benzotriazole (UV-328) that is currently under consideration for listing under the Stockholm Convention, are applied in many commodities and industrial products. However, limited information is available on the interannual variation of their environmental occurrence. In this study, an all-in-one strategy combining target, suspect, and nontarget screening analysis was established to comprehensively explore the temporal trends of BZT-UVs in mollusks collected from the Chinese Bohai Sea between 2010 and 2018. Significant residue levels of the target analytes were determined with a maximum total concentration of 6.4 × 10³ ng/g dry weight. 2-(2-Hydroxy-3-tert-butyl-5-methyl-phenyl)-5-chloro-benzotriazole (UV-326), 5-chloro-2-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-hydroxyphenyl)benzotriazole (UV-327), and 2-(2-hydroxy-5-methylphenyl) benzotriazole (UV-P) were the predominant analogues, and UV-328 was the most frequently detected BZT-UV with a detection frequency (DF) of 87%. Whereas five biotransformation products and six impurity-like BZT-UVs were tentatively identified, their low DFs and semi-quantified concentrations suggest that the targeted analytes were the predominant BZT-UVs in the investigated area. A gradual decrease in the total concentrations of BZT-UVs was observed, accompanied by downward trends of the abundant compounds (e.g., UV-326 and UV-P). Consequently, the relative abundance of UV-327 increased because of its consistent environmental presence. These results suggest that continuous monitoring and risk assessment of BZT-UVs other than UV-328 are of importance in China.

Assessing the eco-compatibility of new generation sunscreen products through a combined microscopic-molecular approach

There is now unequivocal evidence that sunscreen can severely affect marine ecosystems. However, so far, most studies have focused on the impact of single sunscreen ingredients rather than on the whole sunscreen products, which are released into the marine environment. In the present work, we investigated the ecological impact of six formulations, which represent the "new generation" organic UV filters such as diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate (DHHB), methylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenol (MBBT), ethylhexyl triazone (EHT), and bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine (BEMT), which are progressively replacing the "old generation" organic UV filters (e.g., oxybenzone, octinoxate) banned in several countries of the world. The six formulations tested were characterized by a different combination of ingredients, on a model species particularly sensitive to environmental alterations: the sea urchin, Paracentrotus lividus. We investigated the sea urchin responses both in terms of gene expression and anomalies in embryonic development. We found that all sunscreen products containing only MBBT, DHHB, BEMT, and EHT as UV filters, are more eco-compatible than those also containing also ES, or other ingredients such as emollients and texturizing compounds, which may act synergistically causing molecular stress, morphological anomalies, and ultimately possible death. Overall, the results presented here provide new insights on the effects of sunscreen products based on "new generation" UV filters, and highlights the urgency of testing complete formulations, rather than just specific UV filters to ascertain the eco-compatibility of sunscreen products, to effectively minimize their impact on marine ecosystems.

Concentrations, Compound Profiles, and Possible Sources of Organic UV Filters in Human Milk in China

Ultraviolet (UV) filters are of great concern due to their wide occurrence, bioaccumulation, and toxicity. Little is known about human exposure to UV filters. A total of 3467 individual human milk samples from 24 Chinese provinces were collected during 2017-2019. The concentrations of 12 UV filters in 100 pooled milk samples were determined. The total UV filter concentration was 78-846 (mean 235 ± 120) ng/g lipid weight. The highest and lowest total mean concentrations were for samples from Qinghai and Sichuan provinces, respectively. A significant positive correlation was found between UV radiation levels and UV concentrations in the samples. The dominant UV filters were 2-(2-hydroxy-5-methylphenyl) benzotriazole (UV-P) and ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate (EHMC), which contributed means of 32 and 22%, respectively, to the total concentrations. Plastic products and sunscreens were probably the sources of UV-P and EHMC in the human milk from China, respectively. The mean 2-(3,5-di-tert-amyl-2-hydroxyphenyl) benzotriazole (UV-328) concentration was 2.6 ± 2.6 ng/g lipid weight. The UV filter profiles were similar to profiles for samples from Japan, the Philippines, and Switzerland but not for samples from Korea and Vietnam. The estimated daily UV filter intake for breastfed infants was below the corresponding reference dose. This was the first large-scale study of UV filters in human milk and will help assess the risks posed.

Occurrence and distribution of organic ultraviolet absorbents in soils and plants from a typical industrial area in South China

Organic ultraviolet absorbents (UVAs) have attracted increasing concern due to their ubiquity, bioaccumulation, and potential toxicity. However, available information on their occurrence and transfer in terrestrial environment is still extremely insufficient. In this study, we investigated twelve UVAs in the soils and five terrestrial plant species from a typical industrial area in South China, and found their total concentrations were 5.87-76.1 (median 13.1) and 17.9-269 (median 82.9) ng/g dry weight, respectively. Homosalate was dominant in soils while benzophenone and octrizole were predominant in plants, likely due to their complex sources and bioaccumulation preferences. The bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) were further evaluated based on the ratios of UVA concentrations in plants and soils. The observed BAFs of UVAs were compound and species-specific, and most of them were much >1.0, indicating the chemicals could be transferred from soils to plants. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of organic UVAs in field soil-plant systems, providing information that may improve our understanding of the bioaccumulability of these chemicals in terrestrial environment and the associated risks. More studies are needed to investigate the transfer and bioaccumulation of such chemicals in soils and terrestrial biota.

In vitro spermiotoxicity and in vivo adults' biochemical pattern after exposure of the Mediterranean mussel to the sunscreen avobenzone

Avobenzone (AVO) is one of the most frequent ultraviolet (UV) filters in personal care products (PCPs). The Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis is a bioindicator often used for ecotoxicological research. Since UV filters reach higher peaks during summer in aquatic bodies, coincident with mussels' spawning period, and bivalves are sessile, both male gametes and adults of this species were used in this experiment. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess how AVO affects M. galloprovincialis at different biological levels. In vitro experiments on sperms (30 min-exposure) and in vivo experiments on adults (28 days-exposure) were carried out at 0.1, 1.0 and 10.0 μg/L of AVO concentrations. The oxidative and physiological status together with genotoxicity in exposed sperms were assessed. Several biochemical parameters related to enzymatic antioxidant defences, biotransformation enzymes, cell membrane damage, energy reserves, and neurotoxicity were evaluated in adult mussels. Results of in vitro sperm exposure to AVO showed significant overproduction of superoxide anions and DNA damages in all treatments and decrease in sperm viability at 1.0 and 10.0 μg/L. AVO exposure also led to complete inhibition of motility of sperms at the highest concentration, while a significant increase of curvilinear velocity and decrease of wobble occurred at 1.0 μg/L. In vivo exposed adults exhibited a significant decrease in metabolic capacity at 0.1 μg/L, a significant increase in the total protein content and enzymatic turnover as superoxide dismutase (antioxidant defence) at 10 μg/L. This study revealed an ecological concern related to the high sensitivity of sperms respectively to adults under environmentally relevant concentrations of AVO, underpinning an hypothesis of male reproductive function impairments.

Occurrence and temporal trends of industrial antioxidants and UV absorbents in the endangered St. Lawrence Estuary beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas)

Elevated contaminant exposure has been identified as a stressor that has negative impacts on the health and recovery of the endangered St. Lawrence Estuary (SLE) beluga (Delphinapterus leucas) population. However, the accumulation of many groups of contaminants of emerging concern is still unknown in the SLE beluga. The objective of this study was to investigate the occurrence and temporal trends (2000-2017) of synthetic phenolic antioxidants (SPAs), secondary aromatic amines (Ar-SAs), benzotriazole UV stabilizers (BZT-UVs), and organic UV filters (UVFs) in the blubber (n = 69) and liver (n = 80) of SLE beluga carcasses recovered in the SLE. The SPA 2,6-di-tert-butyl-1,4-benzoquinone (BHTQ) was the most prevalent contaminant in the blubber (detection frequency: 86 %; median: 71.1 ng/g wet weight (ww)) and liver (50 %; 12.2 ng/g ww) of SLE belugas. In the blubber, 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone (BP3) (36 %; 3.15 ng/g ww) and 2-(2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethyl butyl)phenol (UV329) (49 %; 6.84 ng/g ww) were the most frequently detected UVFs and BZT-UVs, respectively. Ar-SAs were not detected in most of the blubber and liver samples. Blubber accumulated higher levels of BHTQ and UV329 than liver, whereas the levels of BP3 were greater in the liver. Male SLE beluga accumulated greater concentrations of UV329 in blubber compared to females. These results indicated that the accumulation of BHTQ, UV329 and BP3 in SLE belugas is tissue- and sex-specific. BHTQ showed a decreasing trend in the blubber (2000-2017) of male SLE beluga, whereas no significant trend of this contaminant was found in females. UV329 showed no discernible temporal trend. This study established a baseline for the future monitoring of SPAs, Ar-SAs, BZT-UVs and UVFs in belugas and other marine mammals.

UV-filters in marine environments: a review of research trends, meta-analysis, and ecotoxicological impacts of 4-methylbenzylidene-camphor and benzophenone-3 on marine invertebrate communities

The potential adverse effects of UV-filter pollution in marine environments have been the focus of research in recent years. This systematic review aims to determine the extent of this emerging problem, both quantitatively and qualitatively, combining temporal and science mapping analyses to explore the development of the field of UV-filters in the marine environment (from 1990 to 2021), and to outline new research frontiers. The temporal trend analysis revealed an exponential growth of published studies over the last decade (70% since 2016), confirming the emerging role of this topic in environmental science. The meta-analysis determined that 4-methylbenzylidene-camphor (4-MBC) and benzophenone-3 (BP-3) are top-priority environmental pollutants due to their increasing usage and, in turn, a frequent occurrence in marine ecosystems. This meta-analysis determined the focus on these two contaminants for this review. A critical discussion of the applications, regulatory aspects, and environmental occurrences of these selected compounds was provided. The present study also focused on the most recent (2015-2021) field and laboratory studies investigating the ecotoxicological impacts of 4-MBC and BP-3 on marine invertebrates. This review highlights the need for more research efforts to fill the knowledge gaps on the realistic effects these compounds may have when considered individually, in combination, or as subsequent exposures. Overall, this review aims to establish guidelines for further studies to understand the effect of UV-filters on marine ecosystems and marine invertebrate communities.

Waterborne exposure to avobenzone and octinoxate induces thyroid endocrine disruption in wild-type and thrαa-/- zebrafish larvae

Avobenzone and octinoxate are frequently used as organic ultraviolet filters, and these chemicals are widely detected in water. This study evaluated the potential of avobenzone and octinoxate to disrupt thyroid endocrine system in wild-type and thyroid hormone receptor alpha a knockout (thrαa^-/-) zebrafish embryo/larvae. Following a 120 h exposure to various concentrations of avobenzone and octinoxate, larvae mortality and developmental toxicity in wild-type and thrαa^-/- fish were assessed. Triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) levels as well as transcriptional levels of ten genes associated with the hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis were measured in wild-type fish. Significantly lower larvae survival rate in thrαa^-/- fish exposed to ≥3 μM avobenzone and octinoxate suggests that the thyroid hormone receptor plays a crucial role in the toxic effects of avobenzone and octinoxate. A significant increase in the deio2 gene level in avobenzone-exposed zebrafish supports the result of an increased ratio of T3 to T4. Significant decrease of T4 level with upregulation of trh, tshβ, and tshr genes indicates feedback in the hypothalamus and pituitary gland to maintain hormonal homeostasis. Our observation indicates that exposure to avobenzone and octinoxate affects the thyroid hormone receptor and the feedback mechanisms of the HPT axis. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: Not applicable.

Effects of dietary 2-(2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-4-methylphenol (UV-P) exposure on Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes) in a short-term reproduction assay

Benzotriazole ultraviolet stabilizers (BZT-UVs) are added to various products to prevent damage caused by UV light and have emerged as contaminants of concern. Although BZT-UVs are detected in aquatic biota globally, few studies have assessed their potential toxic effects. The objective of the present study was to assess effects of 2-(2H-Benzotriazol-2-yl)-4-methylphenol (UV-P) on reproductive success of Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes) in a standard 21-day reproduction assay. Japanese medaka were exposed to dietary UV-P at concentrations of 0, 36, 158, and 634 ng UV-P/g food, for a total of 28 days which included 7 days of exposure prior to the start of the 21-day reproduction assay. No significant effect on egg production or fertilization success was observed. Abundances of transcripts of erα, vtgI, cyp1a, or cyp3a4 were not significantly different in livers from male or female fish exposed to UV-P. However, abundances of transcripts of cyp11a and cyp19a were significantly lower in gonads from female fish. There was a trend of increasing concentrations of E2 and a non-significant increase of T in the 634 ng/g treatment in plasma from female fish exposed to UV-P. Concentrations of 11-KT were unchanged in plasma from males exposed to UV-P. These responses suggest weak perturbation of steroidogenesis, consistent with an antiandrogenic mode of action. However, this perturbation was insufficient to impair reproductive performance. Metabolomics analysis of female livers suggests altered concentrations of various metabolites and biological pathways, including glutathione metabolism, suggesting that UV-P might cause responses related to oxidative stress or phase II metabolism. However, metabolomics revealed no obvious mechanism of toxicity. Overall, results of this study indicate that dietary exposure to UV-P up to 634 ng/g food does not significantly impact reproductive performance of Japanese medaka but impacts on steroidogenesis could indicate a potential mechanism of toxicity which might lead to reproductive impairment in more sensitive species.

Functional group substitutions influence the binding of benzophenone-type UV filters with DNA

As a class of possible carcinogens, benzophenone-type UV filters (BPs) widely exist in natural environments and organisms. The crucial step of the carcinogenic process induced by cancerous toxins is binding with DNA to form adducts. Here, the binding of 10 typical BPs, i.e., benzophenone (BP1), 2-hydroxyl benzophenone (BP2), 4-hydroxyl benzophenone (BP3), 2,2'-dihydroxyl benzophenone (BP4), 2,4-dihydroxyl benzophenone (BP5), 4,4'-dihydroxyl benzophenone (BP6), 2,4,4'-trihydroxyl benzophenone (BP7), 2,2',4,4'-tetrahydroxyl benzophenone (BP8), 2-hydroxyl-4-methoxyl benzophenone (BP9), and 2,2'-dihydroxyl-4-methoxyl benzophenone (BP10), with DNA was tested via fluorescence quenching experiments. Only hydroxyl group-substituted BPs could bind to DNA by groove binding mode, and the quenching constants were 0.93 × 10³-5.89 × 10³ L/mol. Substituted BPs were preferentially bound to thymine. Circular dichroism analysis confirmed that BPs could affect DNA base stacking but could not transform its B-form. Based on molecular electrostatic surface potential analyses, molecular dynamics simulations, and energy decomposition calculations, it could be found that the site and number of hydroxyl substitution changed the molecular polarity of BPs, thereby affecting the number and strength of hydrogen bonds between BPs and DNA. The hydroxyl substitution at site 2 was more conducive to binding than at site 4. This study is beneficial in comprehending the carcinogenic mechanisms of BPs.

Specific-accumulation and trophic transfer of UV filters and stabilizers in marine food web

The occurrence and distribution of benzotriazole UV stabilizers (BUVs) and UV filters in marine environments (sediment and seawater) and 20 biota species in the South Korea were investigated to assess their transfer through the marine food web. The total concentrations in the seawater samples were 4.73-8.60 ng/L for BUVs and 1.20-4.88 ng/L for UV filters; while, the total concentrations in the sediment samples were 0.581-6.62 ng/g dw for BUVs and 1.05-6.79 ng/g dw for UV filters, respectively. The total concentrations of BUVs and UV filters were a little higher in benthic invertebrates (BUVs: 131 ng/g lipid weight [lw], UV filters: 41.7 ng/g lw) than fish (BUVs: 99.2 ng/g lw, UV filters: 28.0 ng/g lw) but there were no statistical differences (Mann-Whitney U test, p > 0.05). UV-326 was dominant (fish: 37.9%, benthic invertebrate: 48.7%) of the total BUVs. While, benzophenone-3 (fish: 34.1%, benthic invertebrate: 40.8%) and ethylhexyl methoxy cinnamate (fish: 41.0%, benthic invertebrate: 37.8%) were the dominant UV filters. The bioaccumulation factor and trophic magnification factor indicated that UV-326 can both bioaccumulate and biomagnify (bioaccumulation factor >5000 and biota-sediment accumulation and trophic magnification factors >1). Several other BUVs were found to be able to either bioaccumulate (UV-320, UV-P, UV-329, and UV-234) or biomagnify (UV-327 and UV-928). Most of the analyzed UV filters were found not to be likely to bioaccumulate.

In Vivo Bioconcentration, Distribution and Metabolization of Benzophenone-3 (BP-3) by Cyprinus carpio (European Carp)

Organic UV-filters, such as oxybenzone (BP-3), have attracted researcher attention in recent years due to its capacity to interfere with the proper functioning of the endocrine system and its widespread presence in the aquatic environment. The aim of this study was to investigate the bioconcentration, distribution and metabolization of BP-3 in one of the most common fish species in Romania, namely Cyprinus carp (European carp). Exposure experiments were performed for 11 weeks using a BP-3 nominal concentration level of 100 µg/L. The BP-3 concentration level decreased over time and needed to be re-established daily. Biological samples (fish organs and tissues) from control and test were taken at t0 (before contamination) and at t3, t5, t8 and t11 weeks from the beginning of the experiment. From the third week, BP-3 was identified and quantified, in all organs, in concentration values ranging between 3.2 and 782 ng/g d.w., the highest concentration being detected in the intestinal content, followed by gonads (up to 468 ng/g d.w.) and skin (up to 453 ng/g d.w.). In the case of gill and liver, the BP-3 concentration increased in the first five weeks, and then decreased to 15 and 6 ng/g d.w., respectively, which could be explained by a fast BP-3 metabolization. During the exposure period, six metabolites were identified through LC-MS/MS, all of them known for their endocrine disruptor and toxic properties being higher than those of the parent compound. The study is important from an ecological perspective and also in view of human health concerns involving food quality.

Bioavailability and trophic magnification of antibiotics in aquatic food webs of Pearl River, China: Influence of physicochemical characteristics and biotransformation

Information on trophodynamics of antibiotics and subsequent relationships to antibiotic metabolism in river ecosystem is still unavailable, limiting the evaluation of their bioaccumulation and trophodynamics in aquatic food webs. In the present study, concentrations and relative abundance of 11 antibiotics were investigated in surface water, sediment and 22 aquatic taxa (e.g., fish, invertebrates and plankton) from Pearl River, South China. The logarithmic bioaccumulation factors (log BAFs) of antibiotics generally showed positive relationships with their log D (pH-adjusted log Kow), implying that their bioaccumulation of ionizable antibiotics depends on it is in an ionized form. Higher BAFs of antibiotics in benthic biota were observed than those in fish, indicating that sediment ingestion was a possible route of antibiotic exposure. The logarithmic biota-sediment accumulation factors (log BSAFs) of benthic biota increased when log D increased from -4.79 to -0.01, but declined thereafter. Trophodynamics of antibiotics was investigated, and intrinsic clearance were measured in liver microsomes of Tilapia zillii (trophic level [TL]: 2.5), Anabas testudineu (TL: 3.9), and Coilia grayi (TL: 5.0). Only ciprofloxacin (CFX) showed significant trophic magnification (Trophic Magnification Factor [TMF] = 1.95), and a higher metabolism rate in lower trophic levels suggest that metabolic biotransformation play a significant role in driving biomagnification of antibiotics.

Distribution and Fate of Ultraviolet Absorbents and Industrial Antioxidants in the St. Lawrence River, Quebec, Canada

Ultraviolet absorbents (UVAs) and industrial antioxidants (IAs) are contaminants of emerging concern. In this study, we investigated the distribution and partitioning of these contaminants in surface water, suspended particulate matter (SPM), sediment, and various tissues of lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) and northern pike (Esox lucius) from the St. Lawrence River (SLR), Quebec, Canada. Results indicated that 2,6-di-tert-butyl-1,4-benzoquinone (BHTQ) was the dominant contaminant in the dissolved phase of the surface water, with median concentrations of 43, 15, and 123 ng/L for three sampling sites, respectively. Surface water collected downstream of a major city showed higher levels of various UVAs, BHTQ, and diphenylamine compared to the upstream, suggesting the influence of the urban activities on the contamination of these emerging contaminants in the SLR. SPM showed greater sorption capacities of most target contaminants compared to those of the sediment. Different contamination profiles were found in lake sturgeon and northern pike, implying that the accumulation of UVAs and IAs in fish depends on their feeding behavior. The field-based tissue-specific bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) for frequently detected contaminants (log BAF 1.5-4.2) were generally comparable to or lower than the Estimation Program Interface modeling results (1.4-5.0), indicating that some of these contaminants may be less bioaccumulative than previously expected.

Estimating the Bioaccumulation Potential of Hydrophobic Ultraviolet Stabilizers Using Experimental Partitioning Properties

Although hydrophobic ultraviolet (UV) stabilizers are an emerging environmental concern because of their widespread occurrence, persistence, and bioaccumulation potential, experimental values of their partitioning properties required for risk assessment are scarce. In this study, n-octanol-water partition (K_ow) and lipid–water partition constants (K_lipw), which are key parameters for environmental risk assessment, were experimentally determined for five selected hydrophobic UV stabilizers (UV326, UV327, UV328, UV329, and UV531) based on third-phase partitioning among polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), water, and n-octanol/lipid. The partition constants between PDMS and water (K_PDMSw), obtained using the dynamic permeation method were used to derive K_ow and K_lipw. The obtained log K_ow and log K_lipw values were in the ranges of 7.08–7.94 and 7.50–8.34, respectively, indicating that the UV stabilizers exhibited a high bioaccumulation potential in aquatic environments. The experimental K_ow and K_lipw values obtained in this study provide valuable information for the evaluation of the fate, distribution, bioavailability, and toxicity of the UV stabilizers in aquatic environments.

Concentrations, distribution and potential health risks of organic ultraviolet absorbents in street dust from Tianjin, a megacity in northern China

The distribution of organic ultraviolet absorbers (OUVAs) in outdoor dust remains poorly understood, especially in megacities. We measured the concentrations of 11 OUVAs in street dust from Tianjin, China, by a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and found total concentrations in the range of 10.3-129 ng/g. These OUVAs were prevalent in the study street dust, but their concentrations were much lower than those in indoor dust reported in other areas previously. Benzophenone and octocrylene were the dominant OUVAs, representing medians of 15.5% and 13.1% of total OUVA concentrations, respectively. Total concentrations of dust OUVAs in the industrial area were higher than the residential, cultural and new urban areas. Source assessment indicated that the OUVAs likely originated mainly from the manufacture and consumption of cosmetics and personal care products, and some may have been from the production and use of OUVA-containing consumer products. The calculated non-carcinogenic risks of OUVAs in street dust were low. Our results further confirmed that the OUVAs were prevalent in the environment, provide useful information for understanding potential risks of these chemicals and developing risk management strategies. Further studies are needed to investigate the occurrence, environmental behaviors and potential risks of these emerging contaminants in outdoor environment.