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Do Perfluorinated Chemicals Enhance the Toxicity of Other Contaminants in Aquatic Organisms? A Review
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Researchers reviewed how PFAS interact with pesticides, microplastics, and metals in aquatic organisms, finding that co-exposure can be synergistic — such as PFAS amplifying pesticide-induced oxidative stress and neurotoxicity in zebrafish — or antagonistic depending on the specific chemical pairing, highlighting the complexity of real-world contaminant mixtures.
Environmental contaminants pose threats to exposed organisms and negatively impact the nervous, cardiovascular, immune, and reproductive systems. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic chemicals that are ubiquitous in the environment. Given that mixtures of environmental contaminants have the potential to exacerbate toxicity, we reviewed the current literature on pesticides, microplastics, or metal exposure in combination with PFAS on aquatic vertebrates and invertebrates. The objectives were to evaluate the toxicological effects of mixtures of the selected contaminants with PFAS on aquatic organisms to better understand biological responses in animals. Based on our review, data suggest that PFAS can modify the toxicity of co-occurring pollutants. For example, synergistic effects on toxicity include chlorpyrifos + perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), which increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and upregulated neurotoxicity-related genes in zebrafish, and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) + atrazine, which increased the presence of malformations and oxidative stress. However, antagonistic interactions were also observed, for example, reduced herbicide toxicity in PFOA + 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) mixtures. PFAS combined with microplastics often intensified oxidative stress and developmental or reproductive effects, though polyethylene microplastics attenuated perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS)-induced immunotoxicity in fish like seabass. Interactions with metals also varied, with copper and cadmium enhancing oxidative stress while mercury mixtures with PFAS showed antagonism, underscoring the complexity of mixture effects in real environments. A computational approach demonstrated that PFOS can engage in intermolecular interactions with pesticides, microplastic monomers, and metals, suggesting chemical-level effects that could modify toxicity or bioavailability. Future studies should focus on elucidating the mechanisms underlying these complex interactions, investigating effects at different trophic levels and in a broader range of species, and should consider environmentally relevant mixtures.
More Papers Like This
Do Perfluorinated Chemicals Enhance the Toxicity of Other Contaminants in Aquatic Organisms?
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This review of existing research found that PFAS chemicals (commonly called "forever chemicals" found in non-stick cookware and food packaging) make other pollutants like pesticides, metals, and microplastics more harmful to fish and other water animals. When these chemicals mix together in the environment, they cause worse health problems than each pollutant would cause alone, including damage to development, reproduction, and body functions. This matters because humans are also exposed to these same chemical mixtures through contaminated water and food, suggesting we could face similar increased health risks.
Combined Environmental Impacts and Toxicological Interactions of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) and Microplastics (MPs)
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This review examines how microplastics and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) frequently co-occur in the environment and interact to alter each other's environmental fate and biological effects. Researchers found that co-exposure can enhance PFAS bioaccumulation by up to 2.5-fold compared to PFAS alone, accompanied by amplified oxidative stress, immune disruption, and reproductive impairment in aquatic organisms. The magnitude and direction of combined effects depend heavily on polymer type, particle size, surface aging, and biological context.
Interaction and combined toxicity of microplastics and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in aquatic environment
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This review examines how microplastics interact with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in aquatic environments and the combined toxic effects on organisms. Researchers found that microplastics can adsorb PFAS chemicals and transport them through water systems, potentially increasing exposure for aquatic life. The study highlights that the combination of these two widespread pollutant types may pose greater ecological risks than either one alone.
Toxicity of microplastics and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in sentinel freshwater models, Daphnia, Zebrafish and unicellular green algae: A systemic review
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Researchers reviewed 68 studies on how microplastics and PFAS ("forever chemicals") affect freshwater organisms like Daphnia, zebrafish, and algae, finding that both contaminants are more toxic at chronic low doses than in short-term exposures, and that combining them tends to amplify harm — while noting almost no research has studied them together.
Microplastics and PFAS as ubiquitous pollutants affect potencies of highly toxic chemicals in mixtures
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Researchers investigated how ubiquitous pollutants like PFAS and microplastics affect the toxicity of other highly toxic chemicals when present together in mixtures. They found that even at non-toxic concentrations, PFAS and microplastics could alter the potency of co-occurring toxic compounds. The study highlights the importance of considering pollutant interactions in complex environmental mixtures rather than assessing chemicals in isolation.
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