Wastewater-Based Epidemiology: Assessing Illicit Drug Usage and Impact through an Innovative Approach

Abstract

The abuse of illicit drugs, which is usually associated with violent crimes and public health issues, has evolved into a significant problem that the whole of society must address collectively. With the benefits of high productivity, convenience, objectivity, and semi-real time, wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) has been demonstrated to be a powerful tool and has been utilized on a global scale for monitoring illicit drug use. In this review, we briefly introduce the development and application of WBE. Then, the stability of biomarkers is summarized, and methods to improve stability are introduced. We highlight recent advances in analytical techniques, from three aspects of chromatography–mass spectrometry, optical methods, and electrochemical strategies. The research progress of illicit drug abuse assessment based on WBE is summarized. Finally, we summarize the research hotspots and challenges on illicit drug abuse assessment based on WBE.

Wastewater‐based Epidemiology to Investigate Spatio‐Temporal Trends in Alcohol Consumption in Aotearoa, New Zealand

“…[5] WBE involves the chemical analysis of raw pooled wastewater for specific, excreted biomarkers of interest to gain information on the habits of a population. [6,7] WBE can provide near real-time information on public health by detecting biomarkers indicative of exposure to or consumption of illicit drugs, counterfeit drugs, alcohol, pathogens, diseases, pollutants, personal care products, pharmaceuticals, allergies, antimicrobial resistance, nicotine, caffeine, and pesticides. [8] The advantages of WBE include its non-invasive approach, broad reach, anonymity, and lack of bias.…”

“…[6] A summary of the general WBE workflow where wastewater samples are analysed for water-soluble biomarkers/metabolites is as follows: the process of WBE begins with the collection of untreated (ideally 24-hour composite) wastewater samples at the inlet of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). [6,7] These raw wastewater samples are stored and processed (i. e., filtered, concentrated, the addition of internal standard, etc.) as required, then analysed through Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS).…”