Pharmaceuticals and environmental risk assessment in municipal wastewater treatment plants and rivers from Peru

Nieto-Juárez, Jessica I.; Torres-Palma, Ricardo A.; Botero-Coy, Ana María; Hernández, Félix

doi:10.1016/j.envint.2021.106674

Cited by 97 publications

(37 citation statements)

References 47 publications

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“…In the characterization of the radiolytic transformations of the solvent we used the concept of radiolytic performance (G-value), referred to the number of molecules, free radicals, ions, excited particles, among others, that form or decompose when the system absorbs 100 eV of energy from ionizing radiation [29,30]. This factor is calculated according to Equation (3).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Contamination of surface water, groundwater, and wastewater has increased in recent years due to the presence of so-called "emerging pollutants", such as drugs and pesticides [1][2][3][4][5]. Many investigations report the inefficiency of conventional wastewater treatment plants for eliminating persistent pollutants, and as a result, the presence of contaminants in effluent from treatment plants, rivers, lakes, and to a lesser extent in groundwater [1].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Degradation of Diazepam with Gamma Radiation, High Frequency Ultrasound and UV Radiation Intensified with H2O2 and Fenton Reagent

Artiles

González²,

Marín

et al. 2022

Processes

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A degradation study of diazepam (DZP) in aqueous media by gamma radiation, high frequency ultrasound, and UV radiation (artificial-solar), as well with each process intensified with oxidizing agents (H2O2 and Fenton reagent) was performed. The parameters that influence the degradation of diazepam such as potency and frequency, irradiation dose, pH and concentration of the oxidizing agents used were studied. Gamma radiation was performed in a 60Co source irradiator; an 11 W lamp was used for artificial UV radiation, and sonification was performed at frequency values of 580 and 862 kHz with varying power values. In the radiolysis a 100% degradation was obtained at 2500 Gy. For the sonolysis, 28.3% degradation was achieved after 180 min at 862 kHz frequency and 30 W power. In artificial photolysis, a 38.2% degradation was obtained after 300 min of UV exposure. The intensification of each process with H2O2 increased the degradation of the drug. However, the best results were obtained by combining the processes with the Fenton reagent for optimum H2O2 and Fe2+ concentrations, respectively, of 2.95 mmol L−1 and of 0.06 mmol L−1, achieving a 100% degradation in a shorter treatment time, with a dose value of 750 Gy in the case of gamma radiation thanks to increasing in the amount of free radicals in water. The optimized processes were evaluated in a real wastewater, with a total degradation at 10 min of reaction.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Degradation of Diazepam with Gamma Radiation, High Frequency Ultrasound and UV Radiation Intensified with H2O2 and Fenton Reagent

Artiles

González²,

Marín

et al. 2022

Processes

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Similarly, anti-retroviral drugs (so-called ARVs) for treating HIV/AIDS patients have been found in both surface water bodies and wastewater treatment plants [ 8 , 9 ]. Due to this growing trend, it is becoming expensive for water purification companies and water management schemes to remove these drugs, as well as their metabolites, from polluted water bodies [ 10 , 11 , 12 ]. Additionally, children have fallen victim to easy-to-reach medicines because they are improperly kept at home, causing needless substance poisoning, physiological damage, and even death in some instances [ 13 , 14 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Household Pharmaceutical Waste Management Practices in the Johannesburg Area, South Africa

Magagula

Rampedi

Yessoufou

2022

IJERPH

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Pharmaceutical wastes are expected to increase given the increasing population growth rates and rapidly rising economic burden of human diseases. This challenge calls for appropriate measures for the management of such hazardous wastes. The purpose of this survey was to document and investigate existing practices for the handling, storage, and disposal of household pharmaceutical wastes (HPWs) in the Johannesburg area. Primary data were collected via online surveys with self-administered questionnaires completed by respondents. The research found that 77% (n = 286) of respondents claimed some knowledge about HPWs. Types of medicines that contributed to HPWs included painkillers or analgesics (73%, n = 270) and drugs for treating colds and flu-related illnesses (52%; n = 193). Although there were a few exceptions, the respondents generally exhibited strong disagreements with environmentally unfriendly and health-threatening disposal practices. Moreover, most participants were willing to return expired medicines to pharmacies (40.7%, n = 151), whereas only 8.6% (n = 32) opposed this solution. Awareness levels tended to vary with employment status, educational qualifications, and place of residence. However, place of residence and household size did not correlate with types of pharmaceutical waste. Additionally, the study found that education attainments significantly influenced the willingness of respondents to return pharmaceutical wastes. Finally, there were no significant differences amongst respondents in terms of waste disposal practices. Altogether, the findings suggest the need for targeted efforts to bring about sustainable waste management at a household level.

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“…The global paracetamol market is expected to be valued at 126.2 USD million in 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and is forecast to adjust to 121.7 USD million by 2028 [11]. Paracetamol is considered one of the most rapidly growing contaminants on the planet and has previously been reported in concentrations of up to 200 µg/L in wastewater effluents and 28.70 µg/L in surface waters [12], despite having high removal efficiency and a 90% elimination rate in wastewater treatment plants within 15 days [13][14][15].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of Uptake, Accumulation and Degradation of Paracetamol in Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) under Controlled Laboratory Conditions

Badar

Shanableh

El‐Keblawy

et al. 2022

Plants

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The occurrence and persistence of pharmaceuticals in the food chain, particularly edible crops, can adversely affect human and environmental health. In this study, the impacts of the absorption, translocation, accumulation, and degradation of paracetamol in different organs of the leafy vegetable crop spinach (Spinacia oleracea) were assessed under controlled laboratory conditions. Spinach plants were exposed to 50 mg/L, 100 mg/L, and 200 mg/L paracetamol in 20% Hoagland solution at the vegetative phase in a hydroponic system. Exposed plants exhibited pronounced phytotoxic effects during the eight days trial period, with highly significant reductions seen in the plants’ morphological parameters. The increasing paracetamol stress levels adversely affected the plants’ photosynthetic machinery, altering the chlorophyll fluorescence parameters (Fv/Fm and PSII), photosynthetic pigments (Chl a, Chl b and carotenoid contents), and composition of essential nutrients and elements. The LC-MS results indicated that the spinach organs receiving various paracetamol levels on day four exhibited significant uptake and translocation of the drug from roots to aerial parts, while degradation of the drug was observed after eight days. The VITEK® 2 system identified several bacterial strains (e.g., members of Burkhulderia, Sphingomonas, Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus, Stenotrophomonas and Kocuria) isolated from spinach shoots and roots. These microbes have the potential to biodegrade paracetamol and other organic micro-pollutants. Our findings provide novel insights to mitigate the risks associated with pharmaceutical pollution in the environment and explore the bioremediation potential of edible crops and their associated microbial consortium to remove these pollutants effectively.

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Pharmaceuticals and environmental risk assessment in municipal wastewater treatment plants and rivers from Peru

Cited by 97 publications

References 47 publications

Degradation of Diazepam with Gamma Radiation, High Frequency Ultrasound and UV Radiation Intensified with H2O2 and Fenton Reagent

Degradation of Diazepam with Gamma Radiation, High Frequency Ultrasound and UV Radiation Intensified with H2O2 and Fenton Reagent

Household Pharmaceutical Waste Management Practices in the Johannesburg Area, South Africa

Assessment of Uptake, Accumulation and Degradation of Paracetamol in Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) under Controlled Laboratory Conditions

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