Review of the zebrafish (Danio rerio) model in disinfection by-products (DBPs) toxicity research: Opportunities and challenges.

Chlorination for drinking water disinfection is an essential and common process that ensures water safety, interacting with organic and inorganic matter to produce halogenated disinfection byproducts (DBPs). Halogenated DBPs possess carcinogenic and genotoxic properties, yet over 70 % of them remain unidentified, highlighting the urgent need for the comprehensive toxicological profiling of DBPs. The zebrafish (Danio rerio) has emerged as a robust in vivo model for assessing the toxicity of environmental pollutants, including DBPs. This review synthesizes current research on the toxicity effects of DBPs using zebrafish, covering experimental designs, advances in toxicological experiments using controlled and uncontrolled DBPs, and the impacts of drinking water treatment processes on DBP toxicity. Findings reveal that variations in exposure methods and toxicity endpoints may influence DBP toxicity identification. The toxicity of DBPs is primarily driven by DNA damage and oxidative stress, which are affected by concentrations and molecular structures. Moreover, differences in toxicity arise from variations in disinfection processes. This review highlights unresolved critical issues and research gaps, providing direction for future studies. It reaffirms the potential of zebrafish as a model organism for elucidating the toxicological effects of DBPs and advancing our understanding of their health risks.