Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are emerging organic contaminants with amphiphilic properties and high chemical-physical stability widely used in a variety of industrial applications. Their release and accumulation in the environment can impact human and animal health, including honey bees which are sensitive sentinel species in ecotoxicology. Knowledge about PFAS toxicity on honey bees is still limited; to date, very few studies have investigated the acute, sub-lethal and/or chronic effects of these harmful environmental contaminants. This study aimed to assess the acute oral toxicity of three PFAS, namely PFOS, PFOA and PFBA in adult worker honey bees (RC IZSVE 06/23, funded by the Italian Ministry of Health). Approximately 320 adult worker bees were collected weekly from an apiary located in a low-risk PFAS exposure area of the Veneto region. According to OECD 213 acute test guidelines, groups of 10 bees per cage were maintained in controlled environmental conditions (in the dark, at 25 ± 2 °C with 50-70% relative humidity). Six different concentrations of each PFAS, administered via a 50% (w/v) sucrose solution, were tested (n=4 replicates per concentration). In each experiment, both a positive (the insecticide dimethoate) and a negative control (sucrose solution) were included. Mortality and abnormal behaviour were recorded 4 h after test initiation and every 24 h up to 96 h. Among the three PFAS studied, it was possible to determine the LD50 value only for PFOS; however, for the highest concentrations of PFOA and PFBA the lethality rate was around 27.5% and 20.0%, respectively. Behaviour abnormalities were observed including reduced movement, coordination problems, inability to fly and ultimately leading to starvation. A deeper understanding of toxic effects of PFAS and their potential risks on biodiversity and ecosystems is crucial, as their widespread contamination has already been confirmed globally, thus representing a One Health issue.
Acute Oral Toxicity of PFAS in Apis mellifera: A Preliminary Study
Zulian Laura;Pauletto Marianna;Dacasto Mauro;Gallocchio Federica;Granato Anna
In corso di stampa
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are emerging organic contaminants with amphiphilic properties and high chemical-physical stability widely used in a variety of industrial applications. Their release and accumulation in the environment can impact human and animal health, including honey bees which are sensitive sentinel species in ecotoxicology. Knowledge about PFAS toxicity on honey bees is still limited; to date, very few studies have investigated the acute, sub-lethal and/or chronic effects of these harmful environmental contaminants. This study aimed to assess the acute oral toxicity of three PFAS, namely PFOS, PFOA and PFBA in adult worker honey bees (RC IZSVE 06/23, funded by the Italian Ministry of Health). Approximately 320 adult worker bees were collected weekly from an apiary located in a low-risk PFAS exposure area of the Veneto region. According to OECD 213 acute test guidelines, groups of 10 bees per cage were maintained in controlled environmental conditions (in the dark, at 25 ± 2 °C with 50-70% relative humidity). Six different concentrations of each PFAS, administered via a 50% (w/v) sucrose solution, were tested (n=4 replicates per concentration). In each experiment, both a positive (the insecticide dimethoate) and a negative control (sucrose solution) were included. Mortality and abnormal behaviour were recorded 4 h after test initiation and every 24 h up to 96 h. Among the three PFAS studied, it was possible to determine the LD50 value only for PFOS; however, for the highest concentrations of PFOA and PFBA the lethality rate was around 27.5% and 20.0%, respectively. Behaviour abnormalities were observed including reduced movement, coordination problems, inability to fly and ultimately leading to starvation. A deeper understanding of toxic effects of PFAS and their potential risks on biodiversity and ecosystems is crucial, as their widespread contamination has already been confirmed globally, thus representing a One Health issue.
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