Concentrations Of Benzophenone-3 Research Articles

Ecotoxicological assessment of UV filters benzophenone-3 and TiO2 nanoparticles, isolated and in a mixture, in developing zebrafish (Danio rerio)

ABSTRACT The increasing use of UV filters, such as benzophenone-3 (BP-3) and titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs), has raised concerns regarding their ecotoxicological effects on the aquatic environment. The aim of the present study was to examine the embryo-larval toxicity attributed to BP-3 or TiO2 NPs, either alone or in a mixture, utilizing zebrafish (Danio rerio) as a model after exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations of these compounds. Zebrafish embryos were exposed to BP-3 (10, 100, or 1000 ng/L) or TiO2 NPs (1000 ng/L) alone or in a mixture (BP-3 10, 100, or 1000 ng/L plus 1000 ng/L of TiO2 NPs) under static conditions for 144 hr. After exposure, BP-3 levels were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). BP-3 levels increased in the presence of TiO2 NPs, indicating that the BP-3 degradation decreased in the presence of the NPs. In addition, in the presence of zebrafish, BP-3 levels in water decreased, indicating that zebrafish embryos and larvae might absorb BP-3. Data demonstrated that, in general, environmentally relevant concentrations of BP-3 and TiO2 NPs, either alone or in a mixture, did not significantly induce changes in heart and spontaneous contractions frequencies, levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), morphological and morphometric parameters as well as mortality rates during 144 hr exposure. However, the groups exposed to TiO2 NPs alone and in a mixture with BP-3 at 10 ng/L exhibited an earlier significant hatching rate than the controls. Altogether, the data indicates that a potential ecotoxicological impact on the aquatic environment exists.

Environmental phenol exposures in 6- to 12-week-old infants: The Infant Feeding and Early Development (IFED) study

BackgroundExposure to phenols, endocrine-disrupting chemicals used in personal care and consumer products, is widespread. Data on infant exposures are limited despite heightened sensitivity to endocrine disruption during this developmental period. We aimed to describe distributions and predictors of urinary phenol concentrations among U.S. infants ages 6–12 weeks. MethodsThe Infant Feeding and Early Development (IFED) study is a prospective cohort study of healthy term infants enrolled during 2010–2013 in the Philadelphia region. We measured concentrations of seven phenols in 352 urine samples collected during the 6- or 8- and/or 12-week study visits from 199 infants. We used linear mixed models to estimate associations of maternal, sociodemographic, infant, and sample characteristics with natural-log transformed, creatinine-standardized phenol concentrations and present results as mean percent change from the reference level. ResultsMedian concentrations (μg/L) were 311 for methylparaben, 10.3 for propylparaben, 3.6 for benzophenone-3, 2.1 for triclosan, 1.0 for 2,5-dichlorophenol, 0.7 for BPA, and 0.3 for 2,4-dichlorophenol. Geometric mean methylparaben concentrations were approximately 10 times higher than published estimates for U.S. children ages 3–5 and 6–11 years, while propylparaben concentrations were 3–4 times higher. Infants of Black mothers had higher concentrations of BPA (83%), methylparaben (121%), propylparaben (218%), and 2,5-dichorophenol (287%) and lower concentrations of benzophenone-3 (−77%) and triclosan (−53%) than infants of White mothers. Triclosan concentrations were higher in breastfed infants (176%) and lower in infants whose mothers had a high school education or less (−62%). Phenol concentrations were generally higher in summer samples. ConclusionsWidespread exposure to select environmental phenols among this cohort of healthy U.S. infants, including much higher paraben concentrations compared to those reported for U.S. children, supports the importance of expanding population-based biomonitoring programs to infants and toddlers. Future investigation of exposure sources is warranted to identify opportunities to minimize exposures during these sensitive periods of development.

Biomonitoring of benzophenones in guano samples of wild bats in Poland.

Benzophenones (BPs) are substances used in the production of sunscreens, cosmetics, and personal care products. However, there is a lack of knowledge of BPs in wild animals. Therefore, the study aimed to assess the concentration of selected BPs commonly used in the cosmetic industry in guano samples collected from 4 colonies of greater mouse-eared bats (Myotis myotis). Liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was used to determine guano concentrations of benzophenone 1 (BP-1), benzophenone 2 (BP-2), benzophenone 3 (BP-3) and benzophenone 8 (BP-8). BP-1 levels above the method quantification limit (MQL) were noted in 97.5% of samples and fluctuated from <0.1 ng/g to 259 ng/g (mean 41.50 ng/g, median 34.8). The second most common was BP-3, which fluctuated from <0.1 ng/g to 19 ng/g (mean 6.67 ng/g, median 5.05), and its levels higher than MQL were observed in 40% of samples. BP-2 and BP-8 concentrations did not exceed the method detection limit (0.04 ng/g) in any analyzed sample. There were visible differences in the BP-1 and BP-3 levels among the studied bat colonies. Mean BP-1 concentration fluctuated from 11.23±13.13 ng/g to 76.71±65.51 ng/g and differed significantly between the colonies. Mean BP-3 concentration fluctuated from 5.03±6.03 ng/g to 9.18±7.65 mg/g, but it did not differ significantly between the colonies. The results show that guano is a suitable matrix for the assessment of wildlife exposure to BPs. This could be particularly advantageous in protected species, where not disturbing and stressing the animals are crucial.

In vitro blastocyst implantation and trophoblast migration are disrupted by the UV filter benzophenone-3 (BP3)

Benzophenone-3 (BP3) is a common ingredient in personal care products (PCPs) due to its well-established effectiveness in absorbing UV radiation. Sunscreen products are among the most widely used PCPs-containing BP3 applied to the skin, resulting in significant human exposure to BP3 primarily through a dermal application. In the present work, we have tested the action of three environmentally relevant concentrations of BP3 (2, 20 and 200 μg/L) on an in vitro model of implantation of murine blastocysts and on migration ability of the human trophoblast cell line Swan 71. We showed that BP3 caused a significant reduction of blastocyst expansion and a delayed hatching in a non-monotonic way. Besides, embryos displayed a delayed attachment in the three BP3 groups, resulting in a smaller implantation area on the 6th day of culture: BP3(2) (0.32 ± 0.07 mm2); BP3(20) (0.30 ± 0.08 mm2) and BP3(200) (0.25 ± 0.06 mm2) in comparison to the control (0.42 ± 0.07 mm2). We also found a reduced migration capacity of the human first-trimester trophoblast cell line Swan 71 in a scratch assay when exposed to BP3: the lowest dose displayed a higher uncovered area (UA) at 6h when compared to the control, whereas a higher UA of the wound was observed for the three BP3 concentrations at 18 and 24 h of exposure. The changes in UA provoked by BP3 restored to normal values in the presence of flutamide, an androgen receptor (AR) inhibitor. These results indicate that a direct impairment on early embryo implantation and a defective migration of extravillous trophoblast cells through the androgen receptor pathway can be postulated as mechanisms of BP3-action on early gestation with potential impact on fetal growth.

Prenatal Phenol and Paraben Exposures and Adverse Birth Outcomes: A Prospective Analysis of U.S. Births

BackgroundSynthetic chemicals are increasingly being recognized for potential independent contributions to preterm birth (PTB) and low birth weight (LBW). Bisphenols, parabens, and triclosan are consumer product chemicals that act via similar mechanisms including estrogen, androgen, and thyroid disruption and oxidative stress. Multiple cohort studies have endeavored to examine effects on birth outcomes, and systematic reviews have been limited due to measurement of 1–2 spot samples during pregnancy and limited diversity of populations. ObjectiveTo study the effects of prenatal phenols and parabens on birth size and gestational age (GA) in 3,619 mother-infant pairs from 11 cohorts in the NIH Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes program. ResultsWhile many associations were modest and statistically imprecise, a 1-unit increase in log10 pregnancy averaged concentration of benzophenone-3 and methylparaben were associated with decreases in birthweight, birthweight adjusted for gestational age and SGA. Increases in the odds of being SGA were 29% (95% CI: 5%, 58%) and 32% (95% CI: 3%, 70%), respectively. Bisphenol S in third trimester was also associated with SGA (OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.08, 2.13). Associations of benzophenone-3 and methylparaben with PTB and LBW were null. In addition, a 1-unit increase in log10 pregnancy averaged concentration of 2,4-dichlorophenol was associated with 43% lower (95% CI: −67%, −2%) odds of low birthweight; the direction of effect was the same for the highly correlated 2,5-dichlorophenol, but with a smaller magnitude (-29%, 95% CI: −53%, 8%). DiscussionIn a large and diverse sample generally representative of the United States, benzophenone-3 and methylparaben were associated with lower birthweight as well as birthweight adjusted for gestational age and higher odds of SGA, while 2,4-dichlorophenol. These associations with smaller size at birth are concerning in light of the known consequences of intrauterine growth restriction for multiple important health outcomes emerging later in life.

Long-term effects of embryonic exposure to benzophenone-3 on neurotoxicity and behavior of adult zebrafish

Benzophenone-3 (BP-3) is the most widely used ultraviolet filter (UV filter) in industries to avoid UV radiation damage. BP-3 is added to most sunscreens to protect the skin, hair, and lips from sun rays. It results in continuous discharge into aquatic environments, leading to aquatic biota and human's continuous exposure. Consequences of BP-3 exposure on the physiology and behavior of aquatic animals, mainly zebrafish, have been investigated, including their neurotoxic effects. However, little is known about its consequences in long-term developmental endpoints. This study aimed to investigate the long-term effects of embryonic BP-3 exposure on biomarkers of neurotoxicity in zebrafish. For this, we exposed embryos to 5, 10, and 20 μg∙L−1 BP-3 concentration and let fish grow to adulthood (5mpf). We evaluated anxiety-like behavior, social preference, aggressiveness, and enzymatic activity of the antioxidant defenses system and neurotoxic biomarkers (Glutathione S-transferase -GST, catalase -CAT, and acetylcholinesterase -AChE) in adult zebrafish. Enzymatic activities were also investigated in larvae immediately after BP-3 exposure. Animals early exposed to BP-3 presented anxiety-like behaviors and decreased social preference, but aggressiveness was not altered. In general, exposure to BP-3 leads to altered enzymatic activity, which persists into adulthood. GST activity increased in embryos and adults, while CAT activity decreased in both life stages. AChE activity enhanced only at the larval stage (96 hpf). The long-term behavioral and biochemical effects of BP-3 highlight the need for abolishing or restricting the compound from personal care products, which are continually disposed into the environment and threaten the biota and human health.

A combined study of skin penetration by confocal Raman spectroscopy and human metabolism: A case of benzophenone-3 in sunscreen

Although numerous experiments on benzophenone-3 (BP3) have shown that it can permeate into the skin, the in vivo penetration situation and urinary metabolic trend have not yet been investigated. In this study, sunscreen containing 5.72% BP3 was selected for human-skin exposure. Confocal Raman was successfully used to investigate in vivo skin penetration of BP3 in sunscreen. During 2 h of skin exposure, the semi-quantitative mean values were 5.50, 13.48, 15.79, and 15.00 μg/cm2 after application of sunscreen for 15, 30, 60, and 120 min, respectively, indicating that BP3 penetrated the stratum corneum during 60–120 min. After a single exposure of human limbs, BP3 was quickly metabolized and excreted through urine and reached its peak concentration in the 6th hour, whereas its metabolite 2,4-dihydroxybenzophenone (BP1) reached its peak concentration in the 9th hour. Meanwhile, 6% BP3 and 1% BP1 were excreted through the urine within 48 h, but the concentration of 2,2′-dihydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone (BP8) was low, although it varied greatly within 48 h after exposure. During consecutive exposures, a significant correlation (p < 0.05) between BP3 concentration and exposure time was found, indicating that BP3 concentration increased at longer exposure times. Therefore, combining Raman spectroscopy and human sample analysis provided a new way to assess absorption and metabolism of personal care additives in the human body.

Toxic effects and molecular mechanisms of estuarian crustaceans (Scylla paramamosain) exposed to five commonly used benzophenones

Benzophenones (BPs) are commonly used in personal care products like sunscreens and are increasingly being released into the environment, raising concerns about their potential ecotoxic effects. BPs as emerging environmental contaminants, little is known about their toxic effects on estuarine organisms. This study firstly investigated the toxic effects of five commonly used BPs on mud crabs (Scylla paramamosain). The crabs were exposed to varying concentrations of BPs for 14 days. The results showed that BPs caused damage to antioxidant systems in crabs. Transcriptome sequencing revealed that BP-3 and BP-1 had a greater impact on the crabs compared to the other BPs. Specifically, BP-1 and BP-3 caused severe damage to organelles and ribosomes. BP affected catalytic activity and hydrolase activity, BP-2 affected phosphoenolpyruate carboxykinase activity, and BP-4 affected tRNA aminoacylation and hydrolase activity. These findings can enhance our understanding of the ecotoxicity of BPs and may help to protect estuarine ecosystems.

Benzophenone-3 sunscreen causes phytotoxicity and cytogenotoxicity in higher plants.

The benzophenone-3 (BP-3) sunscreen is recurrently released into the environment from different sources, however, evaluations of its adverse effects on plants do not exist in the literature. In this study, BP-3 was evaluated, at concentrations 2; 20, and 200µg/L, regarding phytotoxicity, based on germination and root elongation in seeds, in Lactuca sativa L., Cucumis sativus L. and Allium cepa L., and phytotoxicity, cytogenotoxicity and oxidative stress in A. cepa bulb roots. The BP-3 concentrations, except for the 200µg/L concentration in L. sativa, caused no significant reduction in seed germination. All concentrations tested significantly reduced the elongation of roots from seeds and roots from bulbs. The 20 and 200µg/L concentrations caused oxidation in cells, disturbances in the cell cycle, and alterations in prophase and metaphase, as well as the induction of micronuclei, in A. cepa root meristems. Furthermore, the three concentrations induced a high number of prophases in root tips. Such disorders were caused by excess H2O2 and superoxide produced in cells due to exposure to BP-3, which triggered significant phytotoxicity, cytotoxicity, and genotoxicity in root meristems. Thus, the recurrent contamination of agricultural and non-agricultural soils with BP-3, even at a concentration of 2µg/L, represents an environmental risk for plants. These results point to the impending need to set limits for the disposal of this sunscreen into the environment since BP-3 has been used in industry for several decades.

Lymnaea stagnalis and Ophryotrocha diadema as Model Organisms for Studying Genotoxicological and Physiological Effects of Benzophenone-3.

Benzophenone-3 (BP-3) is a lipophilic organic compound that occurs naturally in flower pigments. Since it adsorbs ultraviolet (UV) radiation in the UVA and UVB regions, it is one of the most common UV filters found in sunscreen and cosmetic products. We explored by in vivo micronuclei (MNi) assay the genotoxic effects of BP-3 on hemocytes from the freshwater gastropod Lymnaea stagnalis. We also studied its possible toxic effects on life-history traits: body growth in L. stagnalis and egg production of both L. stagnalis and the marine polychaete worm Ophryotrocha diadema. Adult individuals were exposed to increasing concentrations of BP-3 (0.025, 0.050, 0.100, and 0.200 mg/L) once a week for 4 weeks. In L. stagnalis, exposure to BP-3 at concentrations of both 0.2 and 0.1 mg/L produced genotoxic effects on the micronuclei frequencies, but only concentrations of 0.2 mg/L affected the NBUDs frequencies. Similarly, negative effects on body growth were observed at the concentrations of 0.2 and 0.1 mg/L and a significant reduction of egg production at 0.2 mg/L. In O. diadema, a negative correlation between egg production and increasing BP-3 concentrations was observed. Our findings suggest the need for more stringent measures to reduce the presence of BP-3 in the environment.

Biochemical Perturbations and Metabolic Derangements Induced by Benzophenone-3 at Environmentally Relevant Concentration in the Liver of Danio rerio

UV filters are used daily by millions of people. many wastewater treatments plants are ill-equipped to filter them properly. As a result, UV filters are progressively reaching the environment at an alarming level. Benzophenone-3(BP3) in particular, are toxic to all organisms. Its toxic effects include coral bleaching and interference with metabolic, enzymatic, and reproductive activities. The present study aims to assess the toxic impact of environmentally relevant concentration of BP3(44μg/l) on some selected biochemical variables in the liver tissue of Zebra fish on different exposure periods. The exposed fishes were shown to exhibit significant alterations in the carbohydrate, lipid and protein levels and their metabolism and elevated the level of transaminases in the hepatic tissue. The severity of derangement was slowly increased upon increasing exposure period and more significant at the 45th days of exposure. From our results, it may suggested that BP3 exposure at sub chronic periods even at the environmentally relevant concentration might induce intense biochemical alterations in the liver of D.rerio.

Distribution of Nine Organic UV Filters along the Shore Next to the Harbor Canals in the Middle Pomeranian Region (Northern Poland)

Spatiotemporal changes in the concentration of UV filters were investigated along the shore according to increasing distance from breakwaters, from the shoreline, as well as according to seasonality in three locations of different anthropogenic pressures, involving those from cosmetic products being released during touristic activity. Nine organic UV filters (benzophenone-1 (BP-1), benzophenone-2 (BP-2), benzophenone-3 (BP-3), octocrylene (OCR), 4-methoxy benzylidene camphor (4-MBC), ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate (EHMC), ethylhexyl salicylate (EHS), homosalate (HMS), and butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane (BMDM)) were determined in core sediments, and the range of determined concentrations above the limit of quantification was between 19.2 ng·kg−1 d.w. (HMS) and 539.5 μg·kg−1 d.w. (4-MBC). Unexpectedly, contrary to the level of anthropogenic pressure, the concentrations of four (BP-1, BP-2, BP-3, OCR) UV filters decreased in the following order: Darłówko &gt; Ustka &gt; Rowy. Higher concentrations of BP-1, BP-2, BP-3, and OCR were determined in spring than in summer and autumn. The maximal concentration of HMS and EHMC/EHS was found in the summer and in the autumn, respectively. BMDM was determined occasionally only in two samples collected in Ustka. The higher maximal concentration range of all UV filters was determined in core sediments taken from the eastern (539.5 μg·kg−1 d.w.) rather than from the western (11.3 μg·kg−1 d.w.) parts of the beaches. According to increasing distance from the breakwaters, higher concentrations of UV filters were determined in sites located up to 100 m away in all locations and seasons. Spatial variation in the concentration of UV filters was observed in profiles perpendicular to the water line. Typically, higher concentrations were determined at sites having contact with water, although incidentally, high concentrations were also noticed at sites located further into the beach. The Polish coast of the Baltic Sea is not free from organic UV filters, and expectations concerning the abundance of UV filters in a given location are far from recorded data due to the impact of hydro-technical treatments (i.e., stony and wooden breakwaters, artificial reefs, nourishment) and coastal littoral drift.

Biochemical responses of the mussel Perna perna after exposure to environmental concentrations of the UV filter Benzophenone-3

Personal care products, such as UV filters, are frequently present in aquatic ecosystems, but studies on their impact on marine organisms are still scarce. Here we addressed the effects of benzophenone-3 (BP-3) on the antioxidant status of Perna perna mussels exposed to concentrations of 0.1 and 3 μg.L−1 for 72 h and 7 days. Glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione S-transferase (GST), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) activity and lipoperoxidation (MDA) were evaluated in the gills. A significant reduction (p < 0.05) in the activity of G6PDH and GPx was observed after exposure for 7 days to 0.1 µg.L−1. However, no significant differences were observed in GST activity and MDA levels, independently of the exposure time. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed an association of BP-3 highest concentration with GR and MDA at 72 h and only with GR at 7 days of exposure. Similarly, the integrated biomarker response (IBR) demonstrated GR and MDA alterations. In conclusion, environmentally relevant concentrations of BP-3 altered antioxidant and auxiliary enzymes, which could cause long-term damage to P.perna mussels. The need to implement more efficient techniques in wastewater treatment systems is pointed out, especially in summer, when UV filters are used more frequently and abundantly.

Embryonic benzophenone-3 exposure inhibited fertility in later-life female zebrafish and altered developmental morphology in offspring embryos.

Benzophenone-3 (BP3), an organic UV filter widely used in personal care products, is ubiquitous in aquatic environments. Previous studies have shown that BP3 can interfere with oocytes development in the ovary. The current study was conducted to evaluate the effects of embryonic BP3 exposure on reproductive outcomes in later life. Zebrafish embryos were exposed to different concentrations of BP3 (0, 1, 10, 100 μg/L) for 5 days in the developmental stage and subsequently fed for 4 months without any toxins. The body length, body weight, and ovary weight in F0 female adult zebrafish and morphology indices in F1 offspring embryos were measured. The reproductive behaviors of adult zebrafish were recorded by a digital camera. HE staining was used to estimate the development of oocytes and the proportion of different phases was calculated. qPCR was used to detect the expression levels of reproduction-related genes of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. Our findings revealed that the body length and body weight were not changed with embryonic BP3 exposure, but BP3 exposure inhibited the development and maturation of ovaries in later-life female zebrafish, accompanied by an increased proportion of follicles in the primary growth and early vitellogenic stages, and a decline in the full-growth stage in ovaries. Meanwhile, reduced egg production, delayed hatching rate, altered somite count and increased mortality rate were observed at 100 μg/L in offspring embryos. Behavioral results showed that BP3 exposure reduced the frequency of chasing, touching, entering the spawning area, and the duration of fish entering the spawning area later in life, qPCR analysis showed that the expression levels of reproduction-related genes of the HPG axis were downregulated in females, following a decreasing trend in plasma E2 and 11-KT levels. These results suggested that embryonic BP3 exposure negatively affected the fertility of fish and the development of their offspring embryos, which may cause potential risks to aquatic ecosystems and human health.

Urinary concentration of selected nonpersistent endocrine disrupting chemicals—reproductive outcomes among women from a fertility clinic

Parabens and benzophenones are compounds widely used in cosmetics and personal care products. Although human exposure is widespread there is a limited number of epidemiological studies assessing the relationship between exposure to these chemicals and female reproductive health. The aim of the study is to explore the relationship between paraben and benzophenone concentrations and reproductive outcomes among women attending a fertility center. This prospective cohort included 450 women undergoing in vitro treatment (IVF) at fertility clinic in Poland. The validated gas chromatography ion-tap mass spectrometry to assess concentrations of parabens in urine (methyl (MP), ethyl (EP), propyl (PP), butyl paraben (BP)) and benzophenone-3 (BP-3) was used. To explore the relationship between concentrations of examined chemicals and reproductive outcomes (methaphase II (MII) oocyte yield, total oocyte yield, implantation rate, fertilization rate, clinical pregnancy, live births), multivariable generalized linear mixed model was used for the analysis. Increased exposure to butyl paraben was associated with a significant decrease in MII oocyte count (p = 0.007) when exposure to BP was treated as the continuous variable. Additionally, the exposure to BP in the highest quartile of exposure also decreases MII oocyte count (p = 0.02) compared to the lowest quartile. Urinary concentrations of BP were not related to total oocyte count, fertilization and implantation rate, clinical pregnancy, and live birth when the exposure variable was continuous variable or in the quartiles of exposure. Exposure to MP, EP, PP, the sum of examined parabens, and benzophenone-3 were not related to any of the examined reproductive outcomes. Exposure to butyl paraben was associated with a decrease in MII oocyte count among women attending fertility clinic rinsing concerns that exposure may have a potential adverse impact on embryological outcomes. The results emphasize the importance to reduce chemicals in the environment in order to minimize exposure. As this is the first study showing such an association, further research is needed to confirm these novel results in other populations.Graphical

Environmentally relevant concentrations of organic (benzophenone-3) and inorganic (titanium dioxide nanoparticles) UV filters co-exposure induced neurodevelopmental toxicity in zebrafish

UV filters, widely used in personal care products, are ubiquitous environmental pollutants detected and pose a significant public health concern. Benzophenone-3 (BP3) and titanium dioxide nanoparticles (nano-TiO2) are the predominant organic and inorganic UV filters in environmental media. However, few studies have explored the combined developmental neurotoxic (DNT) effects and the underlying mechanisms when co-exposed to BP3 and nano-TiO2. In the present study, zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos were exposed to environmentally relevant concentrations of BP3 (10 μg/L), nano-TiO2 (100 μg/L), and mixtures starting from 6 h post fertilization (hpf), respectively. Developmental indicators and motor behaviors were investigated at various developmental stages. Our results showed that BP3 alone or co-exposed with nano-TiO2 increased spontaneous movement at 24 hpf, co-exposure decreased touch response at 30 hpf and hatching rate at 60 hpf. Consistent with these motor deficits, co-exposure to BP3 and nano-TiO2 inhibited relative axon length of primary motor neuron during the early developmental stages, disturbed the expression of axonal growth-related genes at 30 and 48 hpf, increased cell apoptosis on the head region and mRNA levels of apoptosis-related genes, and also increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in zebrafish, suggesting the functional relevance of structural changes. Taken together, our findings demonstrated that BP3 alone or in combination with nano-TiO2 at environmentally relevant concentrations induced evident neurotoxic effects on the developing embryos in zebrafish.

Bioresorbable Chitosan-Based Bone Regeneration Scaffold Using Various Bioceramics and the Alteration of Photoinitiator Concentration in an Extended UV Photocrosslinking Reaction.

Bone tissue engineering (BTE) is an ongoing field of research based on clinical needs to treat delayed and non-union long bone fractures. An ideal tissue engineering scaffold should have a biodegradability property matching the rate of new bone turnover, be non-toxic, have good mechanical properties, and mimic the natural extracellular matrix to induce bone regeneration. In this study, biodegradable chitosan (CS) scaffolds were prepared with combinations of bioactive ceramics, namely hydroxyapatite (HAp), tricalcium phosphate-α (TCP- α), and fluorapatite (FAp), with a fixed concentration of benzophenone photoinitiator (50 µL of 0.1% (w/v)) and crosslinked using a UV curing system. The efficacy of the one-step crosslinking reaction was assessed using swelling and compression testing, SEM and FTIR analysis, and biodegradation studies in simulated body fluid. Results indicate that the scaffolds had comparable mechanical properties, which were: 13.69 ± 1.06 (CS/HAp), 12.82 ± 4.10 (CS/TCP-α), 13.87 ± 2.9 (CS/HAp/TCP-α), and 15.55 ± 0.56 (CS/FAp). Consequently, various benzophenone concentrations were added to CS/HAp formulations to determine their effect on the degradation rate. Based on the mechanical properties and degradation profile of CS/HAp, it was found that 5 µL of 0.1% (w/v) benzophenone resulted in the highest degradation rate at eight weeks (54.48% degraded), while maintaining compressive strength between (4.04 ± 1.49 to 10.17 ± 4.78 MPa) during degradation testing. These results indicate that incorporating bioceramics with a suitable photoinitiator concentration can tailor the biodegradability and load-bearing capacity of the scaffolds.

Lifetime exposure to benzophenone-3 at an environmentally relevant concentration leads to female–biased social behavior and cognition deficits in zebrafish

Benzophenone-3 (BP3) is an organic UV filter widely used in the commercial formulations of various personal care products. It has been detected ubiquitously in the environment and human tissues. Recently, BP3–induced neurotoxicity has been identified as the main health risk to humans and aquatic organisms. However, most research has been focused on embryonic development, and few studies explore chronic lifetime exposure. In the present study, we evaluated the neurotoxicity of lifetime exposure to an environmentally relevant concentration of BP3 in zebrafish. Our findings revealed that continuous BP3 exposure at 10 μg/L (0.04 μM) from 6 h post fertilization (hpf) to adulthood at 5 months led to female–biased social behavioral deficits and learning and memory impairment. These neurobehavioral effects were characterized by decreased prosocial activities in the social preference test and mirror biting assay, and reduced learning and memory in a T–maze test. Furthermore, these effects were accompanied by female–specific decreases in brain weight and brain dopamine concentration, female–biased decrease of neurogenesis in the telencephalon as well as female–specific increases in apoptotic cells and expression levels of genes and proteins related to the apoptosis pathway in the brain. Our results suggest that BP3–induced social behavior and learning/memory deficits are correlated to the cell loss in the telencephalon region of the zebrafish brain.

Occurrence and profile characteristics of environmental phenols in human urine from a rural area in Northwestern China

Many environmental phenols, such as bisphenols, benzophenones and parabens, are known as endocrine disruptors and can adversely affect human health. However, the knowledge of human exposure to common environmental phenols in Chinese rural areas is insufficient. In this context, 181 urine samples were collected from participants in a rural area in Northwest China and were analyzed for nine bisphenols, three benzophenones and four parabens. Bisphenol A (BPA), bisphenol S, benzophenone-1 (BP-1), benzophenone-3 (BP-3), 4-hydroxybenzophenone, methylparaben (MeP), ethylparaben and propylparaben (PrP) were detected in more than 50% of the urine samples, with median concentrations of 0.938 ng/mL, 0.0111 ng/mL, 0.191 ng/mL, 1.30 ng/mL, 0.0320 ng/mL, 25.9 ng/mL, 4.31 ng/mL and 1.94 ng/mL, respectively. A significant positive correlation was observed between BP-1 and BP-3, as well as between MeP and PrP, indicating metabolic transformation and combined use, respectively. The concentrations of MeP and PrP in females were significantly higher than those in males, suggesting that females were exposed to more MeP and PrP than males. Urinary concentrations of BPA, BP-3, MeP and PrP could be influenced by age. Other demographic information, such as annual household income, education and occupation was not associated with the exposure level of the targeted phenols in adults. The estimated daily intakes of the analytes except BPA were all below their respective tolerable/acceptable daily intake levels. This study profiles the demographic differences in the exposure to environmental phenols in general populations from rural areas and provides information on risk assessments.

Comprehensive Survey of 14 Benzophenone UV Filters in Sunscreen Products Marketed in the United States: Implications for Human Exposure.

Benzophenone (BP)-type ultraviolet (UV) filters are estrogenic chemicals used extensively in sunscreen products, leading to concerns over human exposure. To assess exposure to BP derivatives in sunscreens, we tested 14 BP UV filters in 50 products representing 44 brands marketed in the United States in 2021, finding BP, 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone (BP-3 or oxybenzone), 2,2'-dihydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone (BP-8), 2-hydroxy-4-methoxy-4'-methylbenzophenone (BP-10), 2,3,4-trihydroxybenzophenone (2,3,4-OH-BP), and 4-methylbenzophenone (4-Me-BP) in ≥70% of the samples. The geometric mean (GM) concentration of the sum of these BPs (∑14BPs) in the 50 products was 6600 ng/g. BP-3 was the predominant BP in oxybenzone-containing products (accounting for >99% of the total concentration), with a concentration 5-6 orders of magnitude higher than that in "oxybenzone-free" products (GM: 35 600 000 vs 113 ng/g). BP was present in >90% of products analyzed, including those labeled "oxybenzone-free" (GM: 2100 ng/g). BP concentrations were ∼100-fold higher in octocrylene-containing vs "octocrylene-free" products (GM: 15900 vs 151 ng/g). Dermal exposure doses of BP-3 from oxybenzone-containing products (GM: 4140 000 ng/kg body weight (BW)/day) and of BP in some (24%) octocrylene-containing products (GM: 12 200 ng/kg BW/day) were above reference values (2 000 000 and 30 000 ng/kg BW/day for BP-3 and BP, respectively). This study provides evidence that BP and BP-3 concentrations in sunscreen products vary widely and may be noteworthy even in products labeled oxybenzone- or octocrylene-free, making dermal exposure a continuing concern.