Altered toxicological endpoints in humans from common quaternary ammonium compound disinfectant exposure. (2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hrubec, Terry C.; Seguin, Ryan P.; Xu, Libin; Cortopassi, Gino A.; Datta, Sandipan; Hanlon, Alexandra L.; Lozano, Alicia J.; McDonald, Valerie A.; Healy, Claire A.; Anderson, Tyler C.; Musse, Najaha A.; Williams, Richard T.
• Is Part Of: Toxicology reports. Volume 8(2021)
• Page Start: 646
• Page End: 656
• Publication Date: 2021
• Subjects: ADBAC alkyldimethylbenzyl ammonium chloride -- ANOVA analysis of variance -- BAC benzalkonium chloride -- CRP C-reactive protein -- DDAC didecyldimethyl ammonium chloride -- FCCP trifluoromethoxy carbonylcyanide phenylhydrazone -- IL-6 interleukin 6 -- IL-10 interleukin 10 -- IL-12 interleukin 12 -- IRB Institutional Review Board -- LC liquid chromatography -- LOD level of detection -- LOQ level of quantification -- LPS lipopolysaccharide -- NF-κB nuclear factor kappa beta -- NOEL no effect level -- OCR oxygen consumption rate -- OEL occupational exposure limit -- QAC quaternary ammonium compounds -- TNFα tumor necrosis factor alpha -- 7-DHC 7-Dehydrocholesterol -- 8-DHC 8-Dehydrocholesterol -- 7-DHD 7-Dehydrodesmosterol; Quaternary ammonium compounds -- Environmental toxicology -- Inflammation -- Mitochondrial function -- Lipid metabolism; Toxicology -- Periodicals; Clinical toxicology -- Periodicals; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; Hazardous Substances; Poisoning; Toxicology; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Periodicals; 571.9505
• DOI: 10.1016/j.toxrep.2021.03.006
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2214-7500

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Abstract: Humans are frequently exposed to Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (QACs). QACs are ubiquitously used in medical settings, restaurants, and homes as cleaners and disinfectants. Despite their prevalence, nothing is known about the health effects associated with chronic low-level exposure. Chronic QAC toxicity, only recently identified in mice, resulted in developmental, reproductive, and immune dysfunction. Cell based studies indicate increased inflammation, decreased mitochondrial function, and disruption of cholesterol synthesis. If these findings translate to human toxicity, multiple physiological processes could be affected. This study tested whether QAC concentrations could be detected in the blood of 43 human volunteers, and whether QAC concentrations influenced markers of inflammation, mitochondrial function, and cholesterol synthesis. QAC concentrations were detected in 80 % of study participants. Blood QACs were associated with increase in inflammatory cytokines, decreased mitochondrial function, and disruption of cholesterol homeostasis in a dose dependent manner. This is the first study to measure QACs in human blood, and also the first to demonstrate statistically significant relationships between blood QAC and meaningful health related biomarkers. Additionally, the results are timely in light of the increased QAC disinfectant exposure occurring due to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Main Findings: This study found that 80 % of study participants contained QACs in their blood; and that markers of inflammation, mitochondrial function, and sterol homeostasis varied with blood QAC concentration.