Occurrence of major organic UV filters in aquatic environments and their endocrine disruption potentials: A mini-review
Bareum Kwon, Kyungho Choi
Abstract
Abstract Organic UV filters are frequently used in daily life, and hence are ubiquitously detected in the aquatic environment worldwide. Most monitoring efforts and toxicological studies are, however, limited to a few chemicals like benzophenone-3 (BP-3). In the present study, we chose other major organic UV filters, such as avobenzone (AVB), homosalate (HS), octisalate (OS), and octocrylene (OC), and reviewed information on their use, environmental occurrences, and endocrine disruption effects, available to date. Organic UV filters are used in high volume in many consumer applications, not only in sunscreen products but also in cosmetics, personal care products, home products, and food packaging. Environmental monitoring worldwide reveals that recreational coastal waters are among the hot spots of their contamination. An increasing number of experimental studies indicate that organic UV filters such as octinoxate (OMC), AVB, and HS may cause disruptions in sex hormones. Avobenzene and OMC can also influence thyroid function in experimental models. Observations in human population are rarely made, but OMC and OC have been associated with decreased androgenicity and increase of polycystic ovary syndrome, respectively. Further investigations are warranted to fill the knowledge gaps identified in the present study, to help develop relevant safety screening measures for organic UV filters. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2021;17:940–950. © 2021 SETAC KEY POINTS Many organic UV filters are frequently used in increasing amounts in daily life, and hence are found in aquatic environments. We focused on five major organic UV filters and synthesized currently available information on their uses, environmental occurrences, and effects on the endocrine system in vitro and in vivo. This review will help identify priority UV filters that require immediate research efforts and develop appropriate safety screening measures for this group of chemicals.