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Toxic effects of environmental-relevant exposure to polyethylene terephthalate (PET) micro and nanoparticles in zebrafish early development

NanoImpact 2024 10 citations ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count. Score: 60 ? 0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.

Pelegrini, Kauê, Pelegrini, Kauê, Pelegrini, Kauê, Pelegrini, Kauê, Pelegrini, Kauê, Lílian de Souza Teodoro, Pelegrini, Kauê, Thuany Garcia Maraschin, Camilo Alexandre Jablonski, Camilo Alexandre Jablonski, Talita Carneiro Brandão Pereira, Camilo Alexandre Jablonski, Talita Carneiro Brandão Pereira, Bogo, Maurício Camilo Alexandre Jablonski, Pelegrini, Kauê, Luiza Wilges Kist, Lílian de Souza Teodoro, Luiza Wilges Kist, Luiza Wilges Kist, Thuany Garcia Maraschin, José María Monserrat, Lílian de Souza Teodoro, Basso, Nara, José María Monserrat, Talita Carneiro Brandão Pereira, José María Monserrat, Lílian de Souza Teodoro, Bogo, Maurício José María Monserrat, Talita Carneiro Brandão Pereira, Talita Carneiro Brandão Pereira, Talita Carneiro Brandão Pereira, Basso, Nara, Basso, Nara, Thuany Garcia Maraschin, Basso, Nara, Alan Carvalho de Sousa Araújo, Bogo, Maurício Basso, Nara, Bogo, Maurício José María Monserrat, Bogo, Maurício Bogo, Maurício Bogo, Maurício Basso, Nara, Luiza Wilges Kist, José María Monserrat, Bogo, Maurício

Summary

Researchers exposed zebrafish embryos to PET plastic micro and nanoparticles at levels found in the environment and observed toxic effects including reduced tail movement, faster heart rates, and changes in eye development. The smaller nanoplastic particles were especially concerning because they are more easily absorbed by developing organisms. These findings suggest that PET plastic pollution in water could harm fish development, raising questions about effects on other species exposed through contaminated water.

Polymers

PE PET

Body Systems

Cardiovascular

Models

Zebrafish

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a commonly used thermoplastic in industry due to its excellent malleability and thermal stability, making it extensively employed in packaging manufacturing. Inadequate disposal of PET packaging in the environment and natural physical-chemical processes leads to the formation of smaller particles known as PET micro and nanoplastics (MNPs). The reduced dimensions enhance particle bioavailability and, subsequently, their reactivity. This study involved chemical degradation of PET using trifluoroacetic acid to assess the impact of exposure to varying concentrations of PET MNPs (0.5, 1, 5, 10, and 20 mg/L) on morphological, functional, behavioral, and biochemical parameters during the early developmental stages of zebrafish (Danio rerio). Characterization of the degraded PET revealed the generated microplastics (MPs) ranged in size from 1305 to 2032 μm, and that the generated nanoplastics (NPs) ranged from 68.06 to 955 nm. These particles were then used for animal exposure. After a six-day exposure period, our findings indicate that PET MNPs can diminish spontaneous tail coiling (STC), elevate the heart rate, accumulate on the chorion surface, and reduce interocular distance. These results suggest that PET exposure induces primary toxic effects on zebrafish embryo-larval stage of development.

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