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Combined exposure with microplastics increases the toxic effects of PFOS and its alternative F-53B in adult zebrafish
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Researchers found that when zebrafish were exposed to microplastics along with PFOS or its replacement chemical F-53B (both are "forever chemicals"), the combined toxic effects were worse than either pollutant alone. The microplastics worsened liver inflammation, disrupted energy metabolism, and altered gut bacteria. This is relevant to human health because people are simultaneously exposed to both microplastics and PFAS chemicals through food and water.
Microplastics (MPs) can adsorb and desorb organic pollutants, which may alter their biotoxicities. Although the toxicity of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and its alternative 6:2 chlorinated polyfluorinated ether sulfonate (F-53B) to organisms has been reported, the comparative study of their combined toxic effects with MPs on aquatic organisms is limited. In this study, adult female zebrafish were exposed to 10 μg/L PFOS/F-53B and 50 μg/L MPs alone or in combination for 14 days to investigate their single and combined toxicities. The results showed that the presence of MPs reduced the concentration of freely dissolved PFOS and F-53B in the exposure solution but did not affect their bioaccumulation in the zebrafish liver and gut. The combined exposure to PFOS and MPs had the greatest impact on liver oxidative stress, immunoinflammatory, and energy metabolism disorders. 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis revealed that the combined exposure to F-53B and MPs had the greatest impact on gut microbiota. Functional enrichment analysis predicted that the alternations in the gut microbiome could interfere with signaling pathways related to immune and energy metabolic processes. Moreover, significant correlations were observed between changes in gut microbiota and immune and energy metabolism indicators, highlighting the role of gut microbiota in host health. Together, our findings demonstrate that combined exposure to PFOS/F-53B and MPs exacerbates liver immunotoxicity and disturbances in energy metabolism in adult zebrafish compared to single exposure, potentially through dysregulation of gut microbiota.
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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.
Co-exposure to polystyrene microplastics and perfluorooctanoic acid can exacerbate lipid metabolism disorders and liver damage in adult zebrafish
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Researchers exposed zebrafish to polystyrene microplastics and the persistent pollutant PFOA separately and together for 28 days, finding that combined exposure caused greater intestinal barrier breakdown, liver damage, lipid metabolism disruption, and gut microbiome dysbiosis than either contaminant alone — raising concerns about nonalcoholic fatty liver disease risk from co-occurring plastic and chemical pollution.
The exploration of chronic combined toxic mechanisms of environmental PFOA and polyethylene micro/nanoplastics on adult zebrafish (Danio rerio), using aquatic microcosm systems
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Researchers studied the combined toxic effects of polyethylene micro/nanoplastics and the chemical pollutant PFOA on zebrafish in conditions mimicking real aquaculture systems. They found that the combination produced time-dependent toxicity patterns, with effects on the liver, gut, and reproductive systems that were sometimes more severe than either pollutant alone. The study highlights that microplastics and industrial chemicals can interact in ways that amplify their individual harms to aquatic life.
Combined toxicity of polystyrene microplastics and perfluorobutane sulfonate on mouse liver: Impact on lipid metabolism and gut-liver axis disruption
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This study examined what happens when mice are exposed to both polystyrene microplastics and PFBS (a type of "forever chemical") at the same time. The combination caused significantly worse liver damage than either pollutant alone, disrupting fat metabolism and triggering gut bacteria imbalances that further harmed the liver through the gut-liver connection. These findings are concerning because microplastics can absorb PFAS chemicals in the environment, meaning people may often be exposed to both together.
Combined toxicity of polyethylene micro/nanoplastics and PFOA in zebrafish (Danio rerio): Impacts on antioxidant, neurotransmission, and gut microbiota
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Researchers exposed zebrafish to polyethylene micro/nanoplastics and the industrial pollutant PFOA individually and in combination, assessing antioxidant capacity, neurotransmission, and gut microbiome composition. Combined exposure caused greater oxidative stress, more severe neurotransmitter disruption, and larger gut microbiome shifts than either contaminant alone, highlighting synergistic risks of co-occurring plastic and PFAS pollution.
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