Developmental toxicity of novel alternatives to perfluorooctanoic acid in zebrafish embryos

As novel alternatives to perfluorooctanoic acid, hexafluoropropylene oxide trimer acid (HFPO-TA) and ammonium salt of hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (GenX) have been produced and applied in the fluoropolymer industry for years. However, the toxicological information about them is still insufficient for their ecological risk assessment. In the present study, the developmental toxicity of HFPO-TA and GenX was investigated in zebrafish embryos. Lethal and sublethal effects on the hatchability, heart rate, and malformations were measured. The 96-h LC50 value of HFPO-TA was 170 mg/L, and of GenX 660 mg/L. Both could significantly inhibit the hatching rate and decrease the heart rate of zebrafish embryos. Furthermore, they induced significant malformations, such as pericardial edema, yolk sac edema, spinal curvature, and tail distortion.