title: Psychoactive pharmaceutical residues in the watersheds of Galicia (Spain).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To monitor the presence of pharmaceutical residues of 14 psychoactive drugs belonging to three therapeutic groups in the watersheds of Galicia (Spain).
  
  
  METHODS
  Five sewage treatment plants were selected in the main cities of Galicia. Thirteen psychoactive pharmaceutical compounds and one metabolite were chosen. In addition, tap water samples were taken from public places and private residences in the selected cities.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In all the water samples analyzed, the highest concentrations corresponded to the group of anxiolytics. In particular, high concentrations of lorazepam were found in river and tap water samples.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This investigation demonstrates the presence of psychoactive pharmaceuticals in the watersheds of the autonomous region of Galicia and the conversion of metabolites to parent compounds. This work also shows the need to increase environmental monitoring of watersheds and to improve sewage and drinking water treatment processes to remove these pharmaceuticals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Medical Immunology and Microbiology, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Alcorcón (Madrid), Spain. saraestgn@telefonica.net
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Esteban
authors.forename: Yolanda
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Valcárcel
authors.forename: Myriam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Catalá
authors.forename: Miguel González
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Castromil
mesh_terms: D004350:Drug Residues / Q000032:analysis*; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000032:analysis*; D045483:Rivers / Q000737:chemistry*; D013030:Spain; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D011619:Psychotropic Drugs; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical