A study concludes that environmental contaminants capable of altering the hormonal system, also known as endocrine disruptors, do not affect the immune system equally. In fact, they can reduce the viability of immune cells and even modify the signals that activate inflammation. These chemical substances are present in numerous everyday objects, such as food packaging and textiles, furniture and even industrial products. A study led by the Southern Catalonia Biomedical Research Institute – IRB CatSud, entitled Immunomodulatory effects of Bisphenol A, perfluorooctanoic acid, and tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate on THP-1-derived macrophages, published in the scientific journal Environment International, analysed the effect of three environmental contaminants, bisphenol A (BPA), tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCPP) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and their effect on cells of the immune system. The research shows that not all endocrine disruptors affect the organism in the same way, but rather that each one triggers different biological responses.
The results of the study, carried out by the Environmental, Food and Toxicology Technology Center (TecnATox) and Environmental Analysis and Management using Computer Aided Process Engineering (AGACAPE) research groups at IRB CatSud, show specific effects for each of the compounds studied when they encounter cells that are essential in the first line of defense of the immune system (macrophages).
Among the compounds analysed, a substance used to make certain furniture, fabrics and industrial products more fire resistant (TDCPP) was the one that showed the highest toxicity. Exposure to this substance reduced cell viability and caused a decrease in certain immune responses, which points to a possible immunosuppressive effect.
Regarding the chemical compound known as PFOA, present in coatings resistant to water, stains or grease, the researchers observed that it activates the body’s defenses very intensely. However, this activation did not translate into an increase in the levels of key molecules involved in communication between immune cells (cytokines). In other words, the cells appeared to activate certain defence mechanisms, but without generating the full response that the researchers expected to observe. This result points to possible mechanisms of action that are still poorly understood and that will require further investigation.
In contrast, BPA, a compound used in some plastics and food packaging coatings, had almost no effects in the tests. The researchers observed that it neither harmed cell health nor altered our defenses, nor did it prevent cells from communicating with one another. In any case, the research team points out that additional studies will be needed to better understand its impact on the immune system under other experimental conditions.
Overall, the results highlight that compounds classified within the same group of contaminants can have very different effects on immune cells. This knowledge may contribute to improving the assessment of the risks associated with endocrine disruptors and to gaining a better understanding of how environmental exposure influences human health.
Researchers from the Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV) and from the German Federal Institute in Berlin (Germany) participated in the study. Furthermore, the study is part of the European PARC project (Partnership for the Assessment of Risks from Chemicals), a Horizon Europe initiative and co-funded by the European Union focused on the assessment and management of risks from exposure to chemical substances in order to protect human health and the environment.
Bibliographic reference
Sabuz, O., Blanco, J., Deepika, D., Schuhmacher, M., & Kumar, V. (2026). Immunomodulatory effects of Bisphenol A, perfluorooctanoic acid, and tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate on THP-1-derived macrophages. Environment International, 213, 110321. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2026.110321
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