Tris(4-chlorophenyl)methane (TCPM) and tris(4-chlorophenyl)methanol (TCPMOH) are environmental contaminants that have been detected in diverse ecological samples, including marine mammals and human breast milk. They are emerging contaminants of concern, and are possible endocrine disruptors. The origin of TCPM and TCPMOH has not been established, but there is scientific evidence that the chemicals are potential by-products of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), a well-known anthropogenic pesticide that is found globally. There is strong evidence that both TCPM and TCPMOH have the potential to bioaccumulate and biomagnify in wildlife. Due to their structural similarities to DDT, TCPM and TCPMOH have the potential to emulate similar toxic health effects to human health and the environment as DDT, such as neurotoxicity. To date, toxicity assessments conducted to confirm suspected environmental health impacts are insufficient. In this study, we investigate the aquatic toxicity of TCPM and TCPMOH using brine shrimp (Artemia salina) as our biological model. Brine shrimp (Artemia) cysts and nauplii were exposed to various levels of TCPM and TCPMOH for 24 hours. After this 24-hour period, we assessed hatching success, acute survival rate, morphology, and swimming behavior. Exposures decreased hatching success and survival rates, and increased the incidence of structural malformations and aberrant swimming behaviors. Toxicological data from this research, including LC50 and EC50 values, can be used by policymakers and regulatory agencies to develop sensible monitoring programs and maximum contaminant levels for future enforcement.
