2,6-DHNPs, a group of disinfection byproducts (DBPs), are raising the alarm for public health. These bad actors in the water world are tougher and more toxic than many other pollutants, making it difficult for typical water purification methods to remove them. They pack a powerful punch, far more damaging to marine life and cells than similar pollutants. Found in places like sewage, swimming pools, and our drinking faucets, 2,6-DHNPs are ubiquitous, indicating a dire need for better ways to clean our water and keep us safe
A new study (DOI: 10.1016/j.eehl.2024.02.004), published in Eco-Environment and Healthdiscovered the acute cardiotoxic effects of 2,6-DHNP in zebrafish embryos, which serve as a model for potential human health risks.
2,6-DHNPs, a group of DBPs that are resistant to traditional water purification methods such as boiling and filtration. These DBPs pose a significant risk, showing toxicity levels 248 times higher than the known regulated DBP, dichloroacetic acid, to zebrafish embryos. Using zebrafish as a biological model because of their genetic similarities to humans, the study detailed how these emerging contaminants harm heart health. Zebrafish embryos exposed to 2,6-DHNPs suffered severe cardiac damage characterized by increased production of harmful reactive oxygen species, cell death (apoptosis), and disruption of cardiac development.
The study revealed that 2,6-DCNP and 2,6-DBNP, two types of DBPs, showed significant resistance to removal in drinking water treatment plants. Boiling and filtration were found to be the most effective home water treatment methods, reducing 2,6-DCNP and 2,6-DBNP levels by 47% and 52%, respectively. Exposure to 2,6-DHNP induced heart failure in zebrafish embryos by increasing the production of harmful reactive oxygen species (ROS) and delayed heart development. Interestingly, the antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine was able to mitigate the cardiotoxic effects induced by 2,6-DHNPs.
Dr. Hongjie Sun, a lead researcher on the study, said, “The cardiotoxic potential of 2,6-DHNPs at low concentrations significantly challenges our current understanding of water safety and emphasizes the need for urgent re- assessment of drinking water treatment methods.”
Dr. added. Peng Gao, the corresponding author, “Our findings emphasize the importance of evaluating the health effects of disinfection byproducts that can be generated during water treatment and being resistant to household treatment. Need let’s prioritize the development of advanced water purification technologies to effectively remove pollutants and protect public health.
This research highlights a critical environmental and public health issue: contaminants living in water treatment processes can lead to serious health consequences in exposed organisms, indicating possible public health risks posed by persistent waterborne chemicals.
