title: Effluent from drug manufactures contains extremely high levels of pharmaceuticals.
abstract: It is generally accepted that the main route for human pharmaceuticals to the aquatic environment is via sewage treatment plants receiving wastewater from households and hospitals. We have analysed pharmaceuticals in the effluent from a wastewater treatment plant serving about 90 bulk drug manufacturers in Patancheru, near Hyderabad, India--a major production site of generic drugs for the world market. The samples contained by far the highest levels of pharmaceuticals reported in any effluent. The high levels of several broad-spectrum antibiotics raise concerns about resistance development. The concentration of the most abundant drug, ciprofloxacin (up to 31,000 microg/L) exceeds levels toxic to some bacteria by over 1000-fold. The results from the present study call for an increased focus on the potential release of active pharmaceutical ingredients from production facilities in different regions.
authors: Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at Göteborg University, Box 434, SE-405 30 Göteborg, Sweden. joakim.larsson@fysiologi.gu.se
authors: D G Joakim
authors: DG
authors: Larsson
authors: Cecilia
authors: C
authors: de Pedro
authors: Nicklas
authors: N
authors: Paxeus
mesh_terms: D004345:Drug Industry; D004350:Drug Residues / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000633:toxicity; D005618:Fresh Water; D007194:India; D007220:Industrial Waste; D012722:Sewage / Q000737:chemistry*; D018675:Toxicity Tests; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D007220:Industrial Waste; D012722:Sewage; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical