Aqueous fullerene aggregates (nC(60)) generate minimal reactive oxygen species and are of low toxicity in fish: a revision of previous reports

This review aims to clarify inconsistencies in previous reports regarding the potential for aqueous aggregates of fullerenes (nC(60)) to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cause toxicity in fish. Methods for evaluation of ROS production and toxicity of aqueous nC(60) have evolved overtime and limitations in initial studies have led to unintentional erroneous reports of nC(60) ROS generation and toxicity. Some of these reports continue to lead to misconceptions of the environmental effects of C-60. Critical review of the evidence (2007-2011) indicates that aqueous nC(60) have minimal potential to produce ROS and that oxidative stress in fish is not induced by environmentally relevant exposure to nC(60). Future studies should acknowledge that current evidence indicates low toxicity of nC(60) and refrain from citing articles that attribute toxicity in fish to nC(60) based on methods shown to be compromised by experimental artifacts. Despite low toxicity of nC(60) in fish, an emerging environmental issue is that nC(60) can affect environmental fate, transport, and bioavailability of co-contaminants in aquatic environments in a similar manner to that observed for other anthropogenic particulates (e.g., microplastics).