Abstract
Sunscreens are emulsions of water and oil that contain filters capable of protecting against the detrimental effects of ultraviolet radiation (UV). The widespread use of cosmetic products based on nanoparticulate UV filters has increased concerns regarding their safety and compatibility with both the environment and human health. In the present work, we evaluated the effects of titanium dioxide nanoparticle (TiO2 NP)-based UV filters with three different surface coatings on the development and immunity of the sea urchin, Paracentrotus lividus. A wide range of NP concentrations was analyzed, corresponding to different levels of dilution starting from the original cosmetic dispersion. Variations in surface coating, concentration, particle shape, and pre-dispersant medium (i.e., water or oil) influenced the embryonic development without producing a relevant developmental impairment. The most common embryonic abnormalities were related to the skeletal growth and the presence of a few cells, which were presumably involved in the particle uptake. Adult P. lividus immune cells exposed to silica-coated TiO2 NP-based filters showed a broad metabolic plasticity based on the biosynthesis of metabolites that mediate inflammation, phagocytosis, and antioxidant response. The results presented here highlight the biosafety of the TiO2 NP-based UV filters toward sea urchin, and the importance of developing safer-by-design sunscreens.
Highlights
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a main risk factor for skin disorders such as erythema, photoaging, and keratinocyte cancer
We explored the biosafety of three TiO2 NP-based UV filters on the sea urchin (Paracentrotus lividus) model both in the embryonic and adult life-cycle stages
The TiO2 NPs used as commercial UV filters in sunscreen consist of the rutile lattice form, which is known to be less photoreactive and less toxic than other forms [16,17]
Summary
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a main risk factor for skin disorders such as erythema, photoaging, and keratinocyte cancer. While the important role of the NP coating in controlling fate in the suspension and surface reactivity has already been pointed out, questions as to how its nature and lifetime may influence both exposure and hazard in aquatic systems remain These are key questions regarding the risk assessment of inorganic UV filters, which cannot be evaluated with the widely studied bare TiO2 NPs. the dispersing medium carrying the NPs in the original cosmetic formulation may play an important role on the environmental fate. Organisms living in coastal zones at low water depths could be exposed to these higher NP concentrations In such an exposure scenario, the oil droplet may act as a vector, transporting the concentrated NP UV filters between the seawater and living organisms, and significantly impacting the biological effects. The hydrophilic silica-coated TiO2 NPs did not affect immune cell viability or produce toxicity at concentrations representative of the cosmetic lifecycle, and the cells showed a broad metabolic plasticity based on the biosynthesis of metabolites promoting an increase in antioxidant activity and phagocytosis
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