Estimating the Mass of Pharmaceuticals Harbored in Municipal Solid Waste Landfills by Analyzing Refuse Samples at Various Ages and Depths

Abstract

Pharmaceuticals have been detected at high concentrations in municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill leachates, which are recognized as an underestimated source of pharmaceutical residues in the environment. However, limited efforts have been made to characterize pharmaceuticals in MSW landfill refuse, which is also of significant concern given the potential long-term environmental impact. Herein, we excavated landfill refuse from six cells with landfill ages of 7−27 years in the largest MSW landfill in Shanghai (in each cell, landfill refuse was collected from different depths of 2−8 m) and analyzed samples for the presence of 55 pharmaceuticals, including antibiotics and non-antibiotics. The results reveal the presence of 42 pharmaceuticals in landfill refuse, with median concentrations ranging from 0.30 to 116 μg/kg. Antibiotic and non-antibiotic pharmaceuticals exhibited diverse concentration trends with age, related to changes in policy intervention and consumption over time. Different concentration variations of individual pharmaceuticals were observed in refuse samples excavated at different depths and positively correlated to their sorption ability. The mass of pharmaceuticals in the investigated landfill was estimated from the obtained concentrations to be 80−220 tons with 95% probability, based on Monte Carlo analysis. To the best of our knowledge, this study provides the first estimate of pharmaceutical mass in an MSW landfill. The results will be helpful for understanding the potential long-term environmental impact of pharmaceuticals in landfills.

2D Fluorinated Graphene Oxide (FGO)-Polyethyleneimine (PEI) Based 3D Porous Nanoplatform for Effective Removal of Forever Toxic Chemicals, Pharmaceutical Toxins, and Waterborne Pathogens from Environmental Water Samples

“…As we have discussed before, antibiotic contamination is a serious concern for society due to its association with adverse health effects such as the formation of antibiotic-resistant genes. − It can cause several health problems such as immunity decline, genetic defects, and cancer. − As a result, there is an urgent need to design a novel system that has the capability for the detection and removal of antibiotics from environmental samples. − Next, to find out the capturing and separating efficiency of tetracycline and moxifloxacin antibiotics from environmental samples using the FGO-PEI based nanoplatform, we performed the following experiments. Initially, we infected the drinking water samples with tetracycline and moxifloxacin antibiotics selectively and simultaneously.…”

“…As we have discussed before, even in the 21st century, people in many countries in this world are still lacking water that is free from pathogens. − Waterborne pathogens such as Salmonella and Escherichia coli bacteria are the leading causes of waterborne diseases. − As a result, there is an urgent need to design a novel system that has the capability for the removal of waterborne pathogens from environmental samples. − Next, to find out the capturing and separating efficiency of waterborne pathogens such as Salmonella and Escherichia coli bacteria from environmental samples using the FGO-PEI based nanoplatform, we performed the following experiments. Initially, different waterborne pathogens like Salmonella and Escherichia coli were cultured according to the ATCC protocol, as we have reported before. − , Experimental details are reported in the Supporting Information.…”

“…According to the UN and WHO, every 2 min, a child dies from a water-borne illness in this world. ,− On the other hand, about 7.2 million Americans get sick every year from diseases spread through waterborne pathogens. ,− Because of the low infectious dose, disease transmission is facilitated heavily via the outbreaks of diarrhea, cholera, and typhoid. ,− Recent reports indicate that direct costs of all illnesses caused by waterborne microorganisms are around $3.3 billion/year caused by 17 pathogens. ,− Several antibiotics such as fluoroquinolone, tetracycline, fluoroquinolone, etc., are present in aquatic environments and drinking water. − Recently, several reports indicated that antibiotic residues in water can produce antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which are a serious threat for our society. − To tackle the challenges, scientists are designing a novel adsorbent-based technology that has the potential to improve access to safe drinking water by removing chemical and biological toxins. − …”

Water Analysis: Emerging Contaminants and Current Issues

“…Pharmaceuticals have been found in significant concentrations in municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill leachates, a source often overlooked for pharmaceuticals in the environment . Yu et al analyzed landfill refuse from six sections of Shanghai’s largest MSW landfill, aged between 7 and 27 years and at depths of 2–8 m, for 55 pharmaceuticals.…”

“…Pharmaceuticals have been found in significant concentrations in municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill leachates, a source often overlooked for pharmaceuticals in the environment. 148 Yu et al analyzed landfill refuse from six sections of Shanghai's largest MSW landfill, aged between 7 and 27 years and at depths of 2−8 m, for 55 pharmaceuticals. Forty-two pharmaceuticals were detected, with median concentrations up to 116 μg/kg, showing variation trends by depth and landfill age related to interventions driven by policy shifts and usage patterns.…”