Environmental risk assessment of six human pharmaceuticals: are the current environmental risk assesment procedures sufficient for the protection of the aquatic environment?

• Published in: Environmental toxicology and chemistry 2004, Vol.23 (5), p.1344-1354
• Main Authors: Ferrari, B., Mons, R., Vollat, B., Fraysse, Bodvael, Paxeus, N., Lo Giudice, R., Pollio, A., Garric, Jeanne
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Environmental Sciences
• ISSN: 0730-7268; 1552-8618

In this study, acute and chronic data of 6 human pharmaceuticals (Carbamazepine, Clofibric acid, Diclofenac, Ofloxacin, Propranolol and Sulphamethoxazole) have been collected, using our own experimental data and literature data. From this data collection, the 2-tiered European draft guideline on the environmental risk assessment of such substances was tested. Firstly, measured environmental concentrations (MEC) in effluents from France and from published data obtained within effluents and surface waters in Germany were compared to the predicted environmental concentrations (PEC) respectively in both countries. Secondly, in a similar manner, using the compiled toxicity data on aquatic organisms, predicted no effect concentrations (PNEC) derived from chronic data were compared to PNEC derived from acute data. Globally, results demonstrated that (a) all environmental concentrations (predicted or measured) for each considered pharmaceutical exceeded the 10 ng/L cut-off value, which requires the second tier assessment based on ecotoxicity data, (b) the 6 pharmaceuticals showed a relatively limited acute toxicity and (c) Carbamazepine and Propranolol were inaccurately identified as having negligible risks under the current European draft procedure. Such results should help to provide further sound considerations for discussing the actual procedure on pharmaceuticals, especially on the need of appropriate ecotoxicity tests.