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Use of Alternative Assays to Identify and Prioritize Organophosphorus Flame Retardants for Potential Developmental and Neurotoxicity
Citation:
Behl, M., J. Hsieh, Tim Shafer, W. Mundy, J. Rice, W. Boyd, J. Freedman, S. Hunter, K. Jarema, S. Padilla, AND R. Tice. Use of Alternative Assays to Identify and Prioritize Organophosphorus Flame Retardants for Potential Developmental and Neurotoxicity. NEUROTOXICOLOGY AND TERATOLOGY. Elsevier Science Ltd, New York, NY, 52:181-193, (2015).
Impact/Purpose:
The study was done to screen and prioritize a group of organophosphate flame retardants for both developmental and neurodevelopmental toxicity using in vitro models and alternative species. Many of these chemicals showed developmental or neurodevelopmental alterations at low micromolar concentrations. Using the data presented in this paper, interested parties may be able to make more informed choices about which chemicals to concentrate on for further testing.
Description:
Due to their toxicity and persistence in the environment, brominated flame retardants (BFRs) are being phased out of commercial use, leading to the increased use of alternative chemicals such as the organophosphorus flame retardants (OPFRs). There is, however, limited information on the potential health effects of OPFRs. Due to the structural similarity of the OPFRs to organophosphorus insecticides, there is concern regarding developmental toxicity and neurotoxicity. In response, we evaluated a set of OPFRs (triphenyl phosphate [TPHP], isopropylated phenyl phosphate [IPP], 2-ethylhexyl diphenyl phosphate [EHDP], tert-butylated phenyl diphenyl phosphate [BPDP], trimethyl phenyl phosphate [TMPP], isodecyl diphenyl phosphate [IDDP], (tris(1,3-dichloroisopropyl) phosphate [TDCIPP], and tris(2-chloroethyl)phosphate [TCEP]) in a battery of cell-based in vitro assays and alternative model organisms and compared the results to those obtained for two classical BFRs (3,3',5,5'-tetrabromobisphenol A [TBBPA] and 2,2'4,4'-brominated diphenyl ether [BDE-47]). The assays used evaluated the effects of chemicals on the differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells, the proliferation and growth of human neural stem cells, rat neuronal growth and network activity, and development of nematode (Caenorhabditis elegans) and zebrafish (Danio rerio). All assays were performed in a concentration-response format, allowing for the determination of the point of departure (POD: the lowest concentration where a chemically-induced response exceeds background noise). The majority of OPFRs (8/9) were active in multiple assays, most of which had comparable activity to the BFRs TBBPA and BDE-47. TCEP was negative in all assays. The results indicate that the replacement OPFRs, with the exception of TCEP, showed comparable activity to the two BFRs in the assays tested. Based on these results, more comprehensive studies are warranted to further characterize the potential hazard of some of these OPFR compounds.
