Formulation Controls the Potential Neuromuscular Toxicity of Polyethylene Photoproducts in Developing Zebrafish

• DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c01932
• Publication Date: 2023-05-15T19:28:51Z
• Authors: Bryan D. James; Sibel I. Karchner; Anna N. Walsh; Neelakanteswar Aluru; Diana G. Franks; Kallen R. Sullivan; Christopher M. Reddy; Collin P. Ward; Mark E. Hahn
• Keywords: Polyethylene; Animals; Water; Plastics; Zebrafish; Water Pollutants, Chemical; 12. Responsible consumption

Sunlight transforms plastic into water-soluble products, the potential toxicity of which remains unresolved, particularly for vertebrate animals. We evaluated acute and gene expression in developing zebrafish larvae after 5 days exposure to photoproduced (P) dark (D) leachates from additive-free polyethylene (PE) film consumer-grade, additive-containing, conventional, recycled PE bags. Using a "worst-case" scenario, with concentrations exceeding those found natural waters, we observed no toxicity. However, at molecular level, RNA sequencing revealed differences number differentially expressed genes (DEGs) each leachate treatment: thousands (5442 P, 577 D) film, tens additive-containing conventional bag (14 7 D), none bag. Gene ontology enrichment analyses suggested that disrupted neuromuscular processes via biophysical signaling; this was most pronounced leachates. suggest fewer DEGs elicited by bags (and bags) could be due composition caused titanium dioxide-catalyzed reactions not present PE. This work demonstrates photoproducts can product formulation-specific.