Risks of organic UV filters: A review of environmental and human health concern studies
Abstract
Organic UV filters are compounds that absorb UV irradiation by their highly conjugated structure. With the developing consciousness over the last century of the skin damage UV radiation can cause, the demand for organic UV filters has risen, for use not only in sunscreens, but also in other personal care products. The massive production and usage of these organic UV filters has resulted in extensive release into the aquatic environment, and thereby making an important group of emerging contaminants. Considering the widespread occurrence of organic UV filters in not only ambient water, but also sediment, soil and even indoor dust, their threats towards the health of living organisms have been a subject of active investigation. In this review article, we present an overall review of existing knowledge on the risks of organic UV filters from the aspects of both environmental and human health impacts. As for the environment, some organic UV filters are proven to bioaccumulate in various kinds of aquatic organisms, and further to have adverse effects on different kinds of animal models. Toxicological studies including in vivo and in vitro studies are important and effective means to ascertain the effects and mechanisms of organic UV filters on both the ecosystem and humans. Subsequent concerns arise that these compounds will affect human health in the long term. This review concludes by suggesting future lines of research based on the remaining knowledge gaps.
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Terrestrial contamination by UV filters can occur through wastewater discharges, disposal of product packages, and indoor dust.
“The contamination of terrestrial environment could also occurred by wastewaters discharges, disposal of product packages in inappropriate locations, and even in indoor dust that drives to an environment issue, contaminating both land and terrestrial organisms [84].”
From UV Filters: Challenges and Prospects (2022) · cites this paper as [84]
Bioaccumulation and toxicological effects are the main issues associated with marine contamination by UV filters and can induce persistence through the food chain.
“Bioaccumulation and toxicological effects are the main issues associated with marine contamination by UV filters that could induce the persistence of these emergent contaminants through the food chain [84].”
From UV Filters: Challenges and Prospects (2022) · cites this paper as [84]
UV filters in marine waters deposit in sediments and contribute to bioaccumulation in marine and terrestrial organisms through absorption, abiotic and biotic degradation, hydrolysis, and photolysis.
“It is noteworthy mentioning that the presence of these compounds in marine waters, will after some time deposit in sediments, contributing for the bioaccumulation in both marine and terrestrial organisms, through absorption, abiotic and biotic degradation, hydrolysis, and photolysis [84,86,87].”
From UV Filters: Challenges and Prospects (2022) · cites this paper as [84]
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- Authors
- Huang, Y., Law, J. C.-F., Lam, T.-K., & Leung, K. S.-Y.
- Affiliations
- Hong Kong Baptist University (HK)
- Corresponding author
- Leung, Kelvin Sze-Yin
- Venue
- Science of The Total Environment
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2021-02
- Volume
- 755
- Issue
- Pt 1
- Pages
- 142486
- ISSN
- 0048-9697 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W3087919956
- Cited by
- 232
- References
- 138
- Citations by year
- 2026: 26 · 2025: 42 · 2024: 52 · 2023: 48 · 2022: 46 · 2021: 18
- FWCI
- 2.42
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Licence
- Locations
- The Science of The Total Environment (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Science, Technology and Innovation Commission of Shenzhen Municipality (JCYJ20170817173243420)
- University Grants Committee
- Research Grants Council, University Grants Committee (HKBU 12331316, 12303017)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Environmental Toxicology and Ecotoxicology
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Toxic Organic Pollutants Impact
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Effects and risks of endocrine disrupting chemicals
- Keywords
- organic UV filters, sunscreen ingredients, personal care products, emerging contaminants, aquatic ecosystem pollution, bioaccumulation, ecotoxicity, human health risk, toxicological studies, UV protection
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Cosmetics, Humans, Sunscreening Agents, Ultraviolet Rays, Water Pollutants, Chemical, Ecosystem, Aquatic Organisms
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