Disinfectant-induced hormesis: An unknown environmental threat of the application of disinfectants to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Electrostatic Spray Disinfection Using Nano-Engineered Solution on Frequently Touched Surfaces in Indoor and Outdoor Environments

“…This is unlike many anti-microbial solutions that rely exclusively on the chemical disruption of the microorganisms. Such chemicals can also cause disinfectant-induced hormesis on non-target organisms [ 39 ]. Studies have confirmed that some metallic and metal oxide nanoparticles are of particular interest due to their inherent anti-microbial properties that could also be enhanced by synergistic combinations of particular compositions and structures [ 40 ].…”

Rethinking Subthreshold Effects in Regulatory Chemical Risk Assessments

“…As a recent example, the hormetic model can predict potential subthreshold effects of disinfectants widely introduced into the environment during the COVID-19 pandemic, unlike the linear-no-threshold and threshold models. 5 This article does not suggest that toxicity thresholds are overly conservative and that risk necessarily exists below current limits, but that subthreshold positive or negative effects exist that are not captured by current threshold and LNT models and need to be part of the evaluation and assessment process. Hence, instead of assuming a specific dose−response model a priori, the most suitable/effective model to fit or describe the actual data would be selected ad hoc.…”

“…A great number of dose–response studies indicate that hormesis is a common phenomenon, occurring in numerous organisms exposed to singular or combined environmental stressors, such as pharmaceuticals, heavy metals, micro/nanoplastics, organic flame retardants, pesticides, and rare earths. − While biological responses to low exposure levels are often beneficial, exposure to doses below the no-observed-adverse-effect-level (NOAEL; hereafter subthreshold doses) does not always translate to beneficial responses. , For example, subthreshold contaminant doses can enhance the virulence of phytopathogenic microbes and promote the resistance of crop pests with significant implications for crop production. ,, Subthreshold contaminant exposures can also stimulate infectious animal/human pathogens and promote their resistance to antibiotics and other drugs, threatening long-term sustainability. Importantly, the hormetic function of common pathways that regulate cancer progress indicate that current regulatory standards may not protect adequately against cancer risks. − …”

“… − How representative and realistic this approach is increasingly being challenged, in a modern era of analytical advances enabling measurement of low doses and hormetic responses. An expanding scientific literature provides evidence of significant effects of subthreshold contaminant doses on numerous animals, plants, and microbes. − We opine that regulatory risk assessments on exposure and effects should not be based upon outdated science and biologically unsupported assumptions regarding linearity. Instead, subthreshold effects and dose–response behavior should be included in the regulatory risk assessment.…”

“…The current lack of subthreshold responses inclusion in the risk assessment of chemicals undermines the accuracy of the risk assessment process, and consequent remediation practices and actions applied. As a recent example, the hormetic model can predict potential subthreshold effects of disinfectants widely introduced into the environment during the COVID-19 pandemic, unlike the linear-no-threshold and threshold models …”