Chronic toxicity of phthalates, biphenol and a Canadian bottled water stored under different light regimes using the Cnidarian Hydra Viridissima©

Abstract

There is general concern whether human exposure to selected Canadian bottled waters and the chemicals which may leach from them, could potentially cause deleterious effects. This research was designed to determine whether exposures to bottled water and plastic leachates caused toxicity to the freshwater Cnidarian Hydra viridissima (green hydra). Three chemicals used in the production of polycarbonate and polyethylene plastics, bisphenol A (BPA) and two phthalate esters: dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and bis (2- ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) along with one type of commercial bottled water were investigated. One brand of bottled water was analyzed over four months (stored in light and dark conditions) along with lab water similarly stored in glass, polycarbonate and polyethylene bottles. Following 2, 4, 8 and 16 weeks in each of the two treatments, hydra bioassays were conducted. Chronic toxicity tests were also conducted on the two phthalates and BPA. The chronic toxicity tests showed that BPA caused effects on hydra morphology and population at low doses and DBP and DEHP both showed signs of hormesis.