The first comprehensive study evaluating the ecotoxicity and biodegradability of water-soluble polymers used in personal care products and cosmetics

Rozman, Ula (author), Kalčíková, Gabriela (author)

Water-soluble polymers (WSPs) are organic materials that have been used for decades in various applications as part of paints, coatings, adhesives, washing agents, pharmaceuticals, personal care products and cosmetics. However, their ecotoxicity, biodegradability, and overall impact on the environment are still unknown. In this study four polyacrylic acid- based WSPs (three in the solid state and one in the liquid state), which are widely used in cosmetic industry, were tested in terms of their ecotoxicity and biodegradability. The ecotoxicity tests were performed using aquatic plant Lemna minor, microalga Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata, crustacean Daphnia magna, bacterium Allivibrio fischeri, and a mixed bacterial culture of activated sludge (with heterotrophic and nitrifying microorganisms tested separately). All four WSPs had low or moderate effects on the tested organisms at several endpoints. However, the liquid WSP had a specific toxic effect on the bioluminescence of Allivibrio fischeri and the oxygen consumption of nitrifying microorganisms – 100 mg/L caused 73% and 88% inhibition, respectively. Therefore, some WSPs capable of inhibiting nitrifying microorganisms could have implications for the nitrification process in wastewater treatment plants and aquatic ecosystems, despite 100 mg/L being a high tested concentration and probably difficult to reach in wastewater. All investigated WSPs were not biodegradable; therefore, their persistence in the environment could be expected.

• Language: English
• Keywords: water-soluble polymers, ecotoxicity, biodegradability, aquatic organisms, aquatic toxicity, biodegradation, polyacrylic acid
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: FKKT - Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Year: 2021
• Number of pages: 8 str.
• Numbering: Vol. 228, art. 113016
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-138867
• UDC: 504.5:678
• ISSN on article: 0147-6513
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.113016
• COBISS.SI-ID: 86464771
• Publication date in RUL: 24.08.2022

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Ecotoxicology and environmental safety
• Shortened title: Ecotoxicol. environ. saf.
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 0147-6513
• COBISS.SI-ID: 25368320

Licences

• License: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Description: This is the standard Creative Commons license that gives others maximum freedom to do what they want with the work as long as they credit the author.

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: tekoči polimeri, strupenost, biorazgradljivost, vodni organizmi

Projects

• Funder: ARRS - Slovenian Research Agency
• Project number: P2-0191
• Name: Kemijsko inženirstvo

• Funder: ARRS - Slovenian Research Agency
• Project number: J2-2491
• Name: Vpliv mikroplastike na rastlinsko čistilno napravo