Assessing the cyto-genotoxic effects of 2,4,6-Tribromophenol and its musty-smelling derivative 2,4,6-Tribromoanisole.

2,4,6-Tribromophenol (TBP) is a widely used flame retardant and biocide. Studies have detected TBP in a variety of human samples, such as blood and urine, and linked it to thyroid dysfunction, carcinogenicity and reproductive toxicity. Additionally, TBP is a precursor of 2,4,6-Tribromoanisole (TBA), a characteristic musty/corky-smelling compound with an odour threshold concentration (OTC) of 0.008-10 ng L^-1. TBA is commonly formed through microbial methylation of TBP in environmental conditions. Compounds belonging to the Taste and Odor category have attracted substantial interest from the scientific community, and considering that water is vital for life, the possible adverse effects of these compounds on humans are of great concern.

Given that TBP and TBA can co-exist in the environment, and consequently, humans can be exposed to both of them, the possible adverse effects of the individual compounds, as well as their mixture, was investigated. A Cytokinesis-Block Micronucleus (CBMN) assay was utilized in order to evaluate the possible cyto-genotoxic effects of the aforementioned compounds. CBMN is a simple, rapid and reliable method.

In this study, whole blood was exposed to representative concentrations of each compound and their mixture (0.125 -1 mg L^-1). Based on the preliminary results, TBP presented significant genotoxic effects only at the highest tested concentration. Genotoxic effects were also observed at the highest concentrations of the mixture. This work highlights the importance of the cyto-genotoxic evaluation of compounds that commonly co-exist in the environment as mixtures.

Acknowledgements: This paper has been financed by E.Y.D.A.P. within the framework of the IKY-EYDAP Scholarship program academic year 2022-23.