Occurrence and Distribution of 17 Targeted Human Pharmaceuticals in Various Aquatic Environmental Matrices in Southeast Asia with Particular Reference to Malaysia: A Comprehensive Review

• Published in: Journal of the Mexican Chemical Society 2021-07, Vol.65 (3)
• Main Authors: Hashim, Norbaya, Yuzir, Ali, Fadhil Al-Qaim, Fouad, E.M. Yahaya, Nasehir Khan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1870-249X; 2594-0317
• DOI: 10.29356/jmcs.v65i3.1487

This review focuses on the occurrence and distribution of 17 targeted human pharmaceutical compounds from the most common therapeutic classes. These include one analgesic (acetaminophen), three non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (acetylsalicylic acid, diclofenac, ibuprofen), two antidiabetic drugs (gliclazide, metformin), three antihistamines (cetirizine, chlorphenamine, ranitidine), four antihypertensives (amlodipine, atenolol, metoprolol, prazosin), one lipid regulator (simvastatin), one anti-convulsant (carbamazepine), one bronchodilator agent (salbutamol) and one stimulant (caffeine) which have been detected globally in various aquatic environmental matrices such as surface water, drinking water, ground water, seawater, influent and effluent of municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), hospital and industrial treatment plants, among others. The most common analytical method used involved solid phase extraction (SPE) and liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. The concentrations of all drugs investigated in all aqueous matrices varied from 0.5 to 85,000 ng/L for the highest concentration in the aqueous matrices in Southeast Asia. This review provides the first compilation on human pharmaceuticals in Southeast Asia in surface water, domestic wastewater (influent and effluent) and drinking water.   Resumen. Esta revisión se centró en la aparición y distribución de 17 fármacos de uso humano pertenecientes a las clases terapéuticas más comunes y consiste en un analgésico (acetaminofeno), tres medicamentos antiinflamatorios no esteroideos (AINE) (ácido acetilsalicílico, diclofenaco, ibuprofeno), dos antidiabéticos (gliclazida, metformina), tres antihistamínicos (cetirizina, clorfenamina, ranitidina), cuatro antihipertensivos ( atenolol, metoprolol, prazosina), un regulador de lípidos (simvastatina), un anticonvulsivo (carbamazepina), un agente broncodilatador (salbutamol) y un estimulante (cafeína), y que se han detectado globalmente en varios tipos de matrices ambientales acuáticas como el agua superficial, agua potable, agua subterránea, agua de mar, afluente y efluente de plantas de tratamiento de aguas residuales municipales (EDAR), plantas de tratamiento hospitalarias e industriales entre otras. El método analítico más utilizado involucró extracción en fase sólida (SPE) y cromatografía líquida acoplada a espectrometría de masas. Las concentraciones de todos los fármacos investigados en todas las matrices acuosas variaron de