Ecotoxicological and Health Impacts of Antimicrobial Compounds in Aquatic Systems

The field of aquatic toxicology is increasingly focused on the environmental and health risks associated with antimicrobial compounds, such as triclosan (TCS), chloroxylenol (PCMX), and methylisothiazolinone (MIT). These chemicals, widely used in personal care and household products, are frequently detected in both freshwater and marine environments due to incomplete removal in wastewater treatment. Their persistence, potential for bioaccumulation, and widespread exposure raise urgent questions about their long-term impacts on aquatic organisms and their possible consequences for human health. Despite recommendations for regulation and concerns about toxicological effects—including endocrine disruption, bioaccumulation, and influences on antimicrobial resistance—the breadth and mechanisms of these impacts remain only partially understood.Recent studies have identified various adverse outcomes associated with antimicrobial exposure, ranging from altered reproductive and developmental processes in aquatic biota to disruptions in mammalian metabolic and endocrine systems. Some evidence links these compounds to microbial community shifts and increased antibiotic resistance in the environment, underlining the complexity of the problem. However, research is still needed to clarify the cumulative and synergistic effects of these substances, the comparative toxicity of widely adopted alternatives, and the relevance for ecosystem and human health under environmentally realistic conditions. Specifically, most available information centers on triclosan, with a relative lack of data for less well-studied alternatives such as PCMX and MIT.This Research Topic aims to advance understanding of the ecotoxicological and health consequences of antimicrobial compounds in aquatic environments. It seeks to elucidate the molecular, developmental, and ecological effects of both traditional and emerging antimicrobial agents on aquatic organisms, and their broader implications for environmental and public health. By fostering interdisciplinary dialogue and synthesizing new evidence on these chemicals, the Research Topic will help address existing knowledge gaps and support informed risk assessment and policy development.The scope of this Research Topic encompasses original research and critical reviews focusing on the occurrence, toxicity, and health impacts of antimicrobial compounds in aquatic systems. Contributions are encouraged to address, but are not limited to, the following themes:• Fate, transport, and persistence of antimicrobial agents in aquatic environments• Molecular and physiological responses in aquatic organisms• Bioaccumulation and trophic transfer of antimicrobials• Comparative toxicity of triclosan, chloroxylenol, methylisothiazolinone, and related compounds• Mechanisms of endocrine, developmental, and metabolic disruption• Impact on microbial communities and antibiotic resistance• Human health risks from environmental exposure through water sources or food chains Topic editors: Dileep Francis, Krishna Rao Eswar Neerugatti Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/80633/ecotoxicological-and-health-impacts-of-antimicrobial-compounds-in-aquatic-systems