Toxicity of methylparaben and its chlorinated derivatives to Allium cepa L. and Eisenia fetida Sav.

Methylparaben, chloro-methylparaben, and dichloro-methylparaben were evaluated in Allium cepa at 5, 10, 50, and 100 μg/L and in Eisenia fetida at 10 and 100 μg/L. In A. cepa roots, 100 μg/L methylparaben and 50 and 100 μg/L chlorinated methylparabens reduced cell proliferation, caused cellular changes, and reduced cell viability in meristems, which caused a reduction in root growth. Furthermore, they caused drastic inhibition of catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase; activated guaiacol peroxidase and promoted lipid peroxidation in meristematic root cells. In earthworms, after 14 days exposure to the three compounds, there were no deaths, and catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase were not inhibited. However, guaiacol peroxidase activity and lipid peroxidation were observed in animals exposed to dichloro-methylparaben. Soils with dichloro-methylparaben also caused the escape of earthworms. It is inferred that the recurrent contamination of soils with these methylparabens, with emphasis on chlorinated derivatives, can negatively impact different species that depend directly or indirectly on soil to survive.