Immunotoxicity: A Hidden Health Risk

“A growing area of immunotoxicology is the study of how contaminants in drinking water can impact human health. Sanah Majid, Daniel Duarte, Tessa Pronk, Corine Houtman, Insam Al Saify, Merijn Schriks, Janine Ezendam, Raymond Pieters, and Milou Dingemans make the case for the inclusion of immunotoxicity in water quality assessments.

The drinking water sector faces constant challenges of protecting public health from a growing number of existing and new water contaminants. Recent amendments in EU Drinking Water Directives, including the inclusion of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and bisphenol A (BPA), reflect the growing concern regarding the health impacts of contaminants known for their immunotoxic potential. These substances can disrupt the body’s ability to protect itself from infections and diseases and, depending on their concentrations, can pose significant risks to public health. Despite this, immunotoxicity is not yet a standard endpoint in chemical risk assessments for water quality because of limited regulatory requirements. This article emphasises the need to integrate immunotoxicity assessment into water quality assessments to enhance safety and better protect public health.”

(Citation: Shaikh, S.M., Duarte, D.J., Pronk T.E., et.al. – Immunotoxicity: A Hidden Health Risk – The Source Magazine (2025)April, p.13-17)