Virginia Research Day 2022

Faculty Research Cl inical

01 Extent And Effects Of Quaternary Ammonium Disinfectant Exposure In People

Terry C. Hrubec 1,2 ; Ryan P. Seguin 3 ; Libin Xu 3 ; Gino A. Cortopassi 4 ; Sandipan Datta 4 ; Alexandra L. Hanlon 5 ; Alicia J. Lozano 5 ; Valerie A. McDonald 1 ; Claire A. Healy 1 ; Taylor C. Anderson 1 ; Najaha A. Musse 1 ; Richard T. Williams 1 Corresponding author: thrubec@vt.vcom.edu 1 VCOM Virginia 2 VA-MD College of Veterinary Medicine 3 Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Washington 4 School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis 5 Center for Biostatistics and Health Data Science, Virginia Tech

correlate blood QAC concentrations with health related measurements. The results clearly suggest the possibility for detrimental health effects with BAC and DDAC exposure. This is of particular concern due to the increased use of disinfectants due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Over half of the products approved for use against the SARS-CoV-2 virus contain a QAC. QAC concentrations in air samples taken in homes and medical settings have increased over the course of the pandemic. Taken together, these studies demonstrate significant exposure to QAC chemicals, and clearly demonstrate that this exposure may not be safe. This study was approved by the IRB and was funded through the VCOM One Health Program.

many basic physiological functions and disease processes could potentially be affected. This study tested whether BAC and DDAC could be detected in the blood of individuals, and if blood concentrations were associated with markers of inflammation, mitochondrial function, and altered cholesterol synthesis. Blood samples were collected from 40 volunteers and analyzed for the above markers. BAC and DDAC were detected in 80% of study participants. Exposed individuals demonstrated decreased mitochondrial function and capacity. The inflammatory cytokines TNFα, IL-6, CRP, and inflammatory IL-10 were increased in a dose dependent manner. Intermediates in the cholesterol synthesis pathway were altered, with significant differences between exposed and unexposed individuals. Effect size analysis identified large effects on 8 out of the 18 analytes and medium effects on all analytes measured. This was the first study to measure systemic QAC exposure in people and to

Individuals are extensively exposed to quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs). Two common QACs are benzalkonium chloride (BAC), and didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (DDAC). Both are commonly found in cleaners and disinfectants used in the home and medical settings. Over 11,000 household products contain a QAC. Despite their prevalence, little is known about the health effects associated with chronic low- level exposure. We previously demonstrated that BAC and DDAC cause neural tube birth defects, infertility, and altered neutrophil and macrophage function in mice. In-vitro studies identified increased inflammation, decreased mitochondrial function, and decreased cholesterol synthesis with QAC exposure. Inflammation is associated with many common diseases, while mitochondria play a vital role in bioenergetics; cholesterol regulates membrane fluidity, cell function and cell signaling. If the animal and in-vitro studies translate to people,

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