Acute and developmental behavioral effects of flame retardants and related chemicals in zebrafish.
As polybrominated diphenyl ethers are phased out, numerous compounds are emerging as potential replacement flame retardants for use in consumer and electronic products. Little is known, however, about the neurobehavioral toxicity of these replacements. This study evaluated the neurobehavioral effects of acute or developmental exposure to t-butylphenyl diphenyl phosphate (BPDP), 2-ethylhexyl diphenyl phosphate (EHDP), isodecyl diphenyl phosphate (IDDP), isopropylated phenyl phosphate (IPP), tricresyl phosphate (TMPP; also abbreviated TCP), triphenyl phosphate (TPHP; also abbreviated TPP), tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), tris (2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP), tris (1,3-dichloroisopropyl) phosphate (TDCIPP; also abbreviated TDCPP), tri-o-cresyl phosphate (TOCP), and 2,2-,4,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47) in zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae. Larvae (n≈24 per dose per compound) were exposed to test compounds (0.4-120 μM) at sub-teratogenic concentrations either developmentally or acutely, and locomotor activity was assessed at 6 days post fertilization. When given developmentally, all chemicals except BPDP, IDDP and TBBPA produced behavioral effects. When given acutely, all chemicals produced behavioral effects, with TPHP, TBBPA, EHDP, IPP, and BPDP eliciting the most effects at the most concentrations. The results indicate that these replacement flame retardants may have developmental or pharmacological effects on the vertebrate nervous system.
Toxicology Assessment Division NHEERL, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA.
Kimberly A
KA
Jarema
Integrated Systems Toxicology Division, NHEERL, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA.
Deborah L
DL
Hunter
Integrated Systems Toxicology Division, NHEERL, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA; Curriculum in Toxicology, University of North Carolina, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
Rachel M
RM
Shaffer
National Toxicology Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA.
Mamta
M
Behl
Integrated Systems Toxicology Division, NHEERL, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA. Electronic address: Padilla.stephanie@epa.gov.
Stephanie
S
Padilla
D000818:Animals; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000187:drug effects*; D005411:Flame Retardants / Q000633:toxicity*; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects*; D015027:Zebrafish
D005411:Flame Retardants
Acute; Developmental; Flame retardants; Neurotoxicity; Zebrafish