Pharmaceuticals in Water Systems

Abstract

As the demographic pattern in most regions of the world changes in response to epidemiological transition, life expectancy is lengthened, and human reliance on medications to maintain the quality of life intensifies. It is now indisputable that widespread use of pharmaceutical products results in their release into the environment. This occurs primarily through the excretion of partially metabolized doses and the disposal of expired or unused medication. It is inevitable that that these fugitive releases lead to exposures of aquatic organisms and other natural ecosystem components. However, the driving force behind recent concerns is the potential for large‐scale human exposures through natural drinking water recycling processes. Historically, most investigations of anthropogenic chemicals in the environment have focused on acutely toxic industrial chemicals from mining, energy, and agricultural industries. The environmental impacts of products emanating from the pharmaceutical industry have largely been excluded from scrutiny. The U.S. Geological Survey conducted the first national survey of pharmaceutical products in natural water systems in 2000. The results of that study confirmed prior suspicions about the widespread contamination of aquatic systems by these products.