Identification of the pharmaceuticals for human use contaminating the Italian aquatic environment

A predictive approach seems useful to identify pharmaceuticals in the environment and give an idea of overall levels of contamination, so as to restrict monitoring to those molecules most likely to be contaminants. We propose an approach based on two parts. The first is to rank the molecules accordi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of hazardous materials 2005-07, Vol.122 (3), p.205-209
Main Authors: Zuccato, Ettore, Castiglioni, Sara, Fanelli, Roberto
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adrenergic beta-Antagonists - analysis
Anti-Bacterial Agents - analysis
Anti-Bacterial Agents - metabolism
Environment
Environmental Monitoring - methods
Fresh Water - chemistry
Humans
Ibuprofen - analysis
Italy
Osmolar Concentration
Pharmaceutical Preparations - analysis
Pharmaceutical Preparations - metabolism
Pharmaceuticals
Risk Assessment - methods
River
STP
Surface water
Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis
Water Pollution, Chemical - analysis
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Summary:A predictive approach seems useful to identify pharmaceuticals in the environment and give an idea of overall levels of contamination, so as to restrict monitoring to those molecules most likely to be contaminants. We propose an approach based on two parts. The first is to rank the molecules according to the predicted environmental loads; the second is to refine the list by analysing the pharmaceuticals in sewage treatment plants (STPs) and comparing the concentrations with levels previously measured in surface water. This approach identified a restricted group of priority pollutants (ofloxacin, furosemide, atenolol, hydrochlorothiazide, carbamazepine, ibuprofen, spiramycin, bezafibrate, erythromycin, lincomycin and clarithromycin) in the aquatic environment in Italy, for further studies and monitoring.
ISSN:0304-3894
1873-3336
DOI:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2005.03.001