Do cytotoxic chemotherapy drugs discharged into rivers pose a risk to the environment and human health? An overview and UK case study

Johnson, Andrew C.; Jürgens, Monika D.; Williams, Richard J.; Kümmerer, Klaus; Kortenkamp, Andreas; Sumpter, John P.

doi:10.1016/j.jhydrol.2007.09.054

Cited by 228 publications

(134 citation statements)

References 51 publications

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“…Therefore, a similar effect on any other growing eukary-otic organisms is expected [189]. Pharmaceuticals belonging to this therapeutic class possess genotoxic, mutagenic, carcinogenic, ter-atogenic and fetotoxic properties and can constitute (in their native form) from 14 to 53% of the administered drug excreted in urine [108].…”

Section: Antineoplasicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ecotoxicological aspects related to the presence of pharmaceuticals in the aquatic environment

Santos

Araújo

Fachini

et al. 2010

Journal of Hazardous Materials

1,282

533

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Pharmaceuticals are biologically active and persistent substances which have been recognized as a con-tinuing threat to environmental stability. Chronic ecotoxicity data as well as information on the current distribution levels in different environmental compartments continue to be sparse and are focused on those therapeutic classes that are more frequently prescribed and consumed. Nevertheless, they indicate the negative impact that these chemical contaminants may have on living organisms, ecosystems and ultimately, public health. This article reviews the different contamination sources as well as fate and both acute and chronic effects on nontarget organisms. An extensive review of existing data in the form of tables, encompassing many therapeutic classes is presented.Keywords: Pharmaceuticals, Sources, Environmental fate, Ecotoxicological effects

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Section: Antineoplasicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ecotoxicological aspects related to the presence of pharmaceuticals in the aquatic environment

Santos

Araújo

Fachini

et al. 2010

Journal of Hazardous Materials

1,282

533

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…For example Kümmerer (2008) and Eckstein and Sherk (2011) set out a number of strategies for reducing PPCP and veterinary medicines in water resources through better control of the source term and minimising wastes, in addition to improved monitoring and regulating compounds entering water. These include:…”

Section: Reducing Inputsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Review of risk from potential emerging contaminants in UK groundwater

Stuart

Lapworth

Crane

et al. 2012

Science of The Total Environment

654

284

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This paper provides a review of the types of emerging organic groundwater contaminants (EGCs) which are beginning to be found in the UK. EGCs are compounds being found in groundwater that were previously not detectable or known to be significant and can come from agricultural, urban and rural point sources. EGCs include nanomaterials, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, industrial compounds, personal care products, fragrances, water treatment by-products, flame retardants and surfactants, as well as caffeine and nicotine. Many are relatively small polar molecules which may not be effectively removed by drinking water treatment. Data from the UK Environment Agency's groundwater screening programme for organic pollutants found within the 30 most frequently detected compounds a number of EGCs such as pesticide metabolites, caffeine and DEET. Specific determinands frequently detected include pesticides metabolites, pharmaceuticals including carbamazepine and triclosan, nicotine, food additives and alkyl phosphates. This paper discusses the routes by which these compounds enter groundwater, their toxicity and potential risks to drinking water and the environment. It identifies challenges that need to be met to minimise risk to drinking water and ecosystems.

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“…This resulted from low adsorption of this pharmaceutical on activated sludge (about 10%) and high toxicity to bacteria. Fluorouracil does not undergo biodegradation, and what is more, it shows a negative effect on biological treatment of wastewater [41].…”

Section: Other Pharmaceuticalsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although anticancer drugs were subjected to toxicity tests on S. typhimurium bacteria and common fruit fly (D. melanogaster), there is no evidence on toxicity of these drugs towards aquatic organisms [41].…”

Section: Ecotoxicity Of Pharmaceuticalsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fate and Removal of Pharmaceuticals and Illegal Drugs Present in Drinking Water and Wastewater

Szymonik

Lach

Malińska

2017

Ecological Chemistry and Engineering S

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Rapid development of pharmaceutical industry, and thus widespread availability of different types of therapeutical and increased intake of pharmaceuticals, results in elevated concentrations of pharmaceuticals in municipal wastewater subjected to treatment in wastewater treatment plants. Pharmaceuticals present in raw wastewater discharged from hospitals, households, veterinary and health care clinics eventually end up in wastewater treatment plants. Commonly applied methods for treating wastewater do not allow complete removal of these contaminants. As a consequence, pharmaceuticals still present in treated wastewater are introduced to water environment. The most frequently identified pharmaceuticals in surface water belong to the following groups: non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs, beta-blockers, estrogens and lipid regulators. The most difficult is removal of diclofenac, clofibric acid and carbamazepine as these substances show low biodegradability. Diclofenac can be removed in the process of wastewater treatment by 40%, carbamazepine by 10%, and clofibric acid from 26 to 50%. The presence of diclofenac sodium in the rivers in Poland was confirmed and the concentrations were following: 380 ng/dm 3 (the Warta river), 470 ng/dm 3 (the Odra river), 140 ng/dm 3 (the Vistula river). Naproxene was found in the Warta river at the concentration of 100 ng/dm 3 . The presence of pharmaceuticals in surface water can be toxic to aqueous microorganisms and fish. Recent studies confirmed also the presence of pharmaceuticals in drinking water. This is considered as a problem especially in urban agglomerations such as Berlin or large cities in Spain and China. The studies showed that pharmaceuticals were also identified in the samples taken from the Polish rivers and drinking water. The presence of naproxene and diclofenac at the concentrations of 13 and 4 ng/dm 3 was identified in drinking water sampled from water intakes in Poznan. Surface water and drinking water showed also the presence of illegal drugs.

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Do cytotoxic chemotherapy drugs discharged into rivers pose a risk to the environment and human health? An overview and UK case study

Cited by 228 publications

References 51 publications

Ecotoxicological aspects related to the presence of pharmaceuticals in the aquatic environment

Ecotoxicological aspects related to the presence of pharmaceuticals in the aquatic environment

Review of risk from potential emerging contaminants in UK groundwater

Fate and Removal of Pharmaceuticals and Illegal Drugs Present in Drinking Water and Wastewater

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