Immunotoxicity as an endpoint; On a lookout for conctaminants of emerging concern for drinking water quality

“Water contamination is a pressing global issue that poses a potential health risk to populations worldwide. A number of contamination sources, from industrial discharges and agricultural runoff to improper waste disposal and accidental spills, contribute to this global problem. Ensuring safe and high-quality drinking water is essential to protect public health. However, both legacy and emerging chemicals are known to contribute to the health risks associated with water contamination, which requires research. Legislative frameworks, such as the EU Drinking Water Directive and national drinking water regulations, are constantly revising the legal parameters required for public health considerations. Recently, several water quality parameters have been added to these legislative frameworks due to the immunotoxic potential of certain chemicals, including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and bisphenol A (BPA). This emphasizes the need for proactive identification of immunotoxic substances in order to be prepared for challenges in drinking water production. The current work focuses on the immunotoxicological properties and risk-based monitoring of drinking water-relevant substances with an outlook on effect-based monitoring methods to improve our understanding and prediction of chemical immunotoxicity in relation to drinking water quality. To achieve this, a literature search was conducted on peer-reviewed publications from (inter)national (meta) databases and websites, as well as reports from reputable institutes and health authorities, complemented with other relevant databases. The results provide a comprehensive overview of the available literature on the immunotoxic potential of selected Dutch water micropollutants. Additionally, effect-based trigger values (EBTs) for bioassay endpoints related to immunotoxicity and analogues that currently have limited data will be derived. The method used for EBT derivation can be applied to similar data-poor bioassays with immunotoxicological endpoints to facilitate water quality monitoring by drinking water companies. The approach outlined in this study holds promise for broader international applications in water quality monitoring by leveraging immunotoxicology testing methods and effect-based monitoring strategies. The knowledge gained from this research has the potential to further advance water quality management practices at local and global level, securing water quality and the well-being of the populations.”

(Citation: S.M. Shaikh, R. Hoondert, T. Pronk, D. Duarte, A. Reus, C. Houtman, M. Schriks, R. van der Oost, J. Ezendam, R. Pieters, M.M.L. Dingemans – P15-03 Immunotoxicity as an endpoint: on the lookout for contaminants of emerging concern for drinking water quality – Toxicology Letters 399(2024)S2, p.S229-S230 – DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2024.07.562)

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