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 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.
Zuccato
Ettore
E
Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research, Milan, Italy. zuccato@marionegri.it
Castiglioni
Sara
S
Fanelli
Roberto
R
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000032:analysis; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D005618:Fresh Water / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D007052:Ibuprofen / Q000032:analysis; D007558:Italy; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*; D014877:Water Pollution, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D007052:Ibuprofen