Abstract
BackgroundBenzalkonium chloride (BAC) is one of the most common ingredients of the disinfectants. It is commonly detected in surface and wastewaters where it can interact with the residues of pharmaceuticals that are also common wastewater pollutants. Among the latter, the residues of antineoplastic drugs are of particular concern as recent studies showed that they can induce adverse effect in aquatic organisms at environmentally relevant concentrations.MethodsEcotoxicity of BAC as an individual compound and in a binary mixture with an antineoplastic drug 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) was determined towards alga Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata, a representative of primary producers. The toxicity of the BAC+5-FU binary mixture was predicted by the two basic models: concentration addition (CA) and independent action (IA), and compared to the experimentally determined toxicity. Additionally combination index (CI) was calculated to determine the type of interaction.ResultsAfter 72 h exposure to BAC a concentration dependent growth inhibition of P. subcapitata was observed with an EC50 0.255 mg/L. Comparing the predicted no effect concentration to the measured concentrations in the surface waters indicate that BAC at current applications and occurrence in aquatic environment may affect algal populations. The measured toxicity of the mixture was higher from the predicted and calculated CI confirmed synergistic effect on the inhibition of algal growth, at least at EC50 concentration. The observed synergism may have impact on the overall toxicity of wastewaters, whereas it is less likely for general environments because the concentrations of 5-FU are several orders of magnitude lower from its predicted no effect concentration.DiscussionThese results indicate that combined effects of mixtures of disinfectants and antineoplastic drugs should be considered in particular when dealing with environmental risk assessment as well as the management of municipal and hospital wastewaters.
Highlights
Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) are cationic surfactants that have been used for decades as disinfectants in numerous industrial, medical and domestic applications
These results indicate that combined effects of mixtures of disinfectants and antineoplastic drugs should be considered in particular when dealing with environmental risk assessment as well as the management of municipal and hospital wastewaters
The effective concentrations (EC, Table 1) and the no effect concentration (NOEC, Table 1) calculated from the concentration response curve are in the range ≤ 0.1 mg/L which according to classification of substances hazardous to aquatic environment (UN, 2011) classifies Benzalkonium chloride (BAC) as very toxic to aquatic environment
Summary
Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) are cationic surfactants that have been used for decades as disinfectants in numerous industrial, medical and domestic applications. Certain QAC has been reported to induce genotoxic effects in mammalian and plant cells (Ferk et al, 2007) and in crustaceans (Lavorgna et al, 2016) Due to their ecotoxicological properties and ubiquitous presence in wastewaters and aquatic environment, QACs are of environmental concern. It is commonly detected in surface and wastewaters where it can interact with the residues of pharmaceuticals that are common wastewater pollutants Among the latter, the residues of antineoplastic drugs are of particular concern as recent studies showed that they can induce adverse effect in aquatic organisms at environmentally relevant concentrations. These results indicate that combined effects of mixtures of disinfectants and antineoplastic drugs should be considered in particular when dealing with environmental risk assessment as well as the management of municipal and hospital wastewaters
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
