Grantee Research Project Results
2023 Progress Report: Whole animal New Approach Methodologies for predicting developmental effects of air pollutant mixtures
EPA Grant Number: R840455Title: Whole animal New Approach Methodologies for predicting developmental effects of air pollutant mixtures
Investigators: Poynton, Helen C , Young, Thomas M , Connon, Richard E , Estrada-Martinez, Lorena , Segarra, Amelie , Díaz-Vázquez, Liz M
Institution: University of Massachusetts - Boston , University of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras Campus , University of California Davis
EPA Project Officer: Aja, Hayley
Project Period: October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2025
Project Period Covered by this Report: October 1, 2022 through September 30,2023
Project Amount: $750,000
RFA: Development of Innovative Approaches to Assess the Toxicity of Chemical Mixtures Request for Applications (RFA) (2022) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Safer Chemicals , Environmental Justice , Air Toxics , Hazardous Waste/Remediation , Health Effects , Human Health , Air , Chemical Safety for Sustainability , New Approach Methods (NAMs) , Mixtures , Non-Vertebrate Animal Testing , CSS , Children's Health
Objective:
(1) Develop and validate a novel whole animal New Approach Methodology (NAM) in crustacean Hyalella azteca embryos (Crustacean Embryo Test; CET) that specifically targets disruptions in conserved developmental pathways through gene expression and behavioral assays for use in human health risk assessments.
(2) Evaluate the ability of the CET and Fish Embryo Test (FET) to detect developmental toxicity to single compounds and simulated mixtures of air pollutants and compare with predicted values from toxicological databases assuming additive toxicity.
(3) Validate the applicability of the assays using collected air samples following open denotations of unexploded ordnance in Vieques, Puerto Rico.
Progress Summary:
Objective 1: Develop and Validate CET
- Tested 12 teratogens for morphological developmental impacts in H. azteca
- Three teratogens were chosen for the optimization phase of the CET assay, including lead, warfarin, and ethanol.
- Developmental stages of H. azteca were re-characterized into 9 distinct stages.
- Morphological and neurobehavioral impacts of ethanol were assessed in H. azteca.
Objective 2: Evaluate mixture developmental toxicity with CET and FET assays
- New zebrafish facility was established at UC Davis.
Objective 3: Apply assays to community health assessment of air pollution in Vieques, PR
- Community outreach at a community meeting in Vieques, PR.
Future Activities:
Objective 1: Develop and Validate CET
- Complete testing of ethanol, lead, and warfarin in CET assay.
- Develop standard operating protocols (SOPs) for the CET assay including morphological, neurobehavioral, and gene expression endpoints.
Objective 2: Evaluate mixture developmental toxicity with CET and FET assays
- Select three model teratogens from a list 88 chemicals associated with open denotations in Vieques, PR using data mining.
- Test the CET and FET assays in single exposures and mixtures of the three model teratogens.
Objective 3: Apply assays to community health assessment of air pollution in Vieques, PR
- Establish a community advisory committee.
- Collect air samples during open detonations in Vieques, PR.
Journal Articles:
No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 1 publications for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
air, human health, sensitive populations, teratogen, Puerto RicoThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.