Environmentally relevant concentrations of galaxolide (HHCB) and tonalide (AHTN) induced oxidative and genetic damage in Dreissena polymorpha

Synthetic musk compounds (SMCs) are extensively used as fragrances in several personal care productsand have been recognized as emerging aquatic pollutants. Among SMCs, galaxolide (HHCB) and tonalide(AHTN) are extensively used and have been measured in aquatic ecosystems worldwide. However, theirpotential risk to organisms remains largely unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate whether21-day exposures to HHCB and AHTN concentrations frequently measured in aquatic ecosystems caninduce oxidative and genetic damage in Dreissena polymorpha. The lipid peroxidation (LPO) and proteincarbonyl content (PCC) were measured as oxidative stress indexes, while the DNA precipitation assay andthe micronucleus test (MN test) were applied to investigate genetic injuries. HHCB induced significantincreases in LPO and PCC levels, while AHTN enhanced only protein carbonylation. Moreover, significantincreases in DNA strand breaks were caused by exposure to the highest concentrations of HHCB andAHTN tested in the present study, but no fixed genetic damage was observed.