Paracetamol - A Contaminant of High Concern: Existence in Environment and Adverse Effect

Abstract

Pharmaceuticals (analgesics and non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs- NSAIDS) though, a major human scientific development, have undoubtedly lengthened life spans, cured millions from deadly diseases, and made life comfortable and free from pain. This very success has now led to their emergence as rapidly growing environmental pollutants and contaminants. Paracetamol (4’-hudroxyacetanilide, acetaminophen or N-acetyl-p-aminophenol) is amongst the most popular pain killers and widely used analgesic and antipyretic drug which is used for relieving pain and fever as a non prescription drug, worldwide. Such huge consumption all over the world can be expected to result in the contamination of the environment and threat to human health, since residual drugs after usage, easily accumulate in the environment especially aquatic environment through human excreta and industrial effluents produced from paracetamol active ingredients production. Its presence has been found in the environment which has been detected drinking water, waste water and sewage treatment plant effluents. Recent researches focus on adverse effects of paracetamol usage and health hazards in the form of increasing behavioural disorders in offspring. Although chemical oxidation process is done for the treatment of waste water to remove paracetamol but severe reaction conditions, production of secondary pollutants as by products and huge operational expenses associated, leave no choice but to find other methods of treatment. Biodegradation of paracetamol by microorganisms is now being considered as an environment friendly alternative which has bearable cost. The widespread use of paracetamol and the scarcity of parallel and safe alternatives, its impact on the environment and on human health deserves further investigations and researches. The main aim of this review is develop comprehensive understanding on the percolation of paracetamol in environment through uncontrolled usage its toxic effects and proposed metabolic pathways of its biodegradation.

Magnetic activated carbon derived from pine fruit waste: efficient adsorbent for tetracycline (TC) and paracetamol (PC) removal from aqueous solution

“…It enters the surface and underground waters or the natural environment through unsuitable treatment of industrial e uents 18 . Also, TC is an antibiotic that is mainly used to cure bacterial infections [18], mainly through its application in animal feed 19 . on the other hand, in a scienti c study, a signi cant correlation was observed between the concentration of TC in sewerage and the numeral antibiotic-resistant bacteria 20,21 .…”

Sustainable removal of tetracycline and paracetamol from water using magnetic activated carbon derived from pine fruit waste

“…Improper industrial effluent treatment allows PC to enter surface water, groundwater, and the natural environment 18 . On the other hand, cost-effective TC that shows lack any major adverse side effects 19 , used to treat bacterial infections, is also commonly used in animal feed 20 . A scientific study found a significan correlation between TC concentration in sewage and the number of antibiotic resistant bacteria 21 , 22 If these types of bacteria enter the human body, they can pose a serious threat by limiting the effectiveness of medical prescription because they have become resistant to the TC 23 , 24 .…”