Short-term effects of various non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on Danio rerio embryos

Due to the widespread use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) without a medical prescription and their frequent prevalence in aquatic habitats, there are major health and environmental issues. NSAIDs have been found in surface water and wastewater in concentrations ranging from ng/L to μg/L all over the world. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between NSAIDs (diclofenac, ketoprofen, paracetamol and ibuprofen) exposure and associated adverse effects in the assessment of indirect human health risks posed by Danio rerio (zebrafish) and Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA) of these NSAIDs in aquatic environments. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to (i) reveal abnormality endpoints of early developmental stages, after exposure of zebrafish and (ii) perform an ecological risk assessment of aquatic organisms upon exposure to NSAIDs detected in surface waters based on the risk quotients (RQs) method. According to the toxicity data collected, all of the malformations appeared after diclofenac exposure at all concentrations. The most notable malformations were the lack of pigmentation and an increase in yolk sac volume, with EC(50) • To determine the LC(50), lethal conditions such as coagulation, absence of heartbeat and blood flow, absence of tail separation and development of somites were taken into account. • The EC(50) was calculated using sublethal parameters such as blood coagulation, pericardial edema, yolk sac edema or hypertrophy. • The 4 compounds present a high risk individually and in mixture with a RQ >> 1.