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Simpson J, Simpson BS, Gerber C. Effect of secondary and tertiary wastewater treatment methods on opioids and the subsequent environmental impact of effluent and biosolids. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 364:143307. [PMID: 39260597 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.143307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2024] [Revised: 08/22/2024] [Accepted: 09/08/2024] [Indexed: 09/13/2024]
Abstract
Opioids are widely distributed, potent prescription analgesics that are known to be diverted for illicit use. Their prevalence of use is reflected by high concentrations of parent compounds and/or metabolites found in samples collected from wastewater treatment plants. Given that treatment byproducts enter the environment through several routes, the consequences of insufficient removal by treatment methods include unwanted environmental exposure and potential to disrupt ecosystems. Activated sludge treatment has been widely investigated for a large suite of prescription opioids but the same cannot be said for UV and chlorination. Additionally, the biosolid cycle of opioids has been overlooked previously. This study aimed to determine the extent to which secondary and tertiary wastewater treatment methods remove opioids from influent, and the associated environmental exposure for those persistent, as well as the fate of opioids in biosolids. Membrane bioreactor treatment proved effective for natural and semi-synthetic opioids while the effect of UV treatment was negligible. Chlorination was the most effective treatment method resulting in effluent with concentrations below theoretical predicted no-effect concentration. Biosolids are not subjected to any additional biological or chemical treatment after membrane bioreactor treatment and the levels detected in biosolid used as fertiliser had several opioids at potentially hazardous concentrations, indicated by a QSAR theoretical model. This data indicates a potential issue regarding the treatment process of biosolids and reliance on chlorination for effluent treatment that should be investigated in other treatment plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie Simpson
- Health and Biomedical Innovation, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Bradley Scott Simpson
- Health and Biomedical Innovation, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Cobus Gerber
- Health and Biomedical Innovation, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
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2
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Davies B, Paul R, Osselton D, Woolley T. Analysis of crude wastewater from two treatment plants in South Wales for 35 new psychoactive substances and cocaine, and cannabis. Sci Rep 2024; 14:20129. [PMID: 39209963 PMCID: PMC11362326 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-70378-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 08/16/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
This study investigates the presence of new psychoactive substances (NPS) and their metabolites in two wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) situated in South Wales, UK (WWTP-1 and WWTP-2). Analysis was conducted for 35 NPS and metabolites, along with the inclusion of benzoylecgonine (main cocaine metabolite) and cannabis, the most detected illicit substances. Benzoylecgonine was identified as the predominant substance in both WWTPs. Epidemiological calculations revealed the average population consumption of cocaine to be 3.88 mg/d/1000 inhabitants around WWTP-1 and 1.97 mg/d/1000 inhabitants for WWTP-2. The removal efficiency of benzoylecgonine across both WWTPs was observed at an average of 73%. Subsequent qualitative analyses on randomly selected wastewater samples detected medicinal compounds including buprenorphine, methadone, and codeine in both WWTPs. An additional experiment employing enzymatic hydrolysis revealed the presence of morphine, an increased presence of codeine, and 11-Nor-9-Carboxy-THC (THC-COOH) post-hydrolysis. These findings underscore the significant presence of illicit substances and medicinal compounds in wastewater systems with the absence of NPS within the South Wales area, highlighting the necessity for enhanced monitoring and treatment strategies to address public health and environmental concerns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bethan Davies
- Bournemouth University, Fern Barrow, Poole, BH12 5BB, UK.
| | - Richard Paul
- Bournemouth University, Fern Barrow, Poole, BH12 5BB, UK
| | - David Osselton
- Bournemouth University, Fern Barrow, Poole, BH12 5BB, UK
| | - Timothy Woolley
- Inuvi Diagnostics Ltd, Churcham Business Park, Gloucester, GL28AX, UK
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Mehrotra A, Munakata N, Maal-Bared R, Gerrity D, Sabater J, Bessler S. Wastewater-Based Surveillance Does Not Belong in a Regulatory Framework Designed to Protect Waters That Receive Treated Wastewater. Comment on Wright, T.; Adhikari, A. Utilizing a National Wastewater Monitoring Program to Address the U.S. Opioid Epidemic: A Focus on Metro Atlanta, Georgia. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20, 5282. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:6636. [PMID: 37681776 PMCID: PMC10487102 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20176636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
We read with great interest the work by Wright and Adhikari on "Utilizing a National Wastewater Monitoring Program to Address the U.S. Opioid Epidemic: A Focus on Metro Atlanta, Georgia" [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Mehrotra
- Water Environment Federation, Alexandra, VA 22314, USA;
| | - Naoko Munakata
- Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts, Whittier, CA 90601, USA;
| | | | - Daniel Gerrity
- Southern Nevada Water Authority, Las Vegas, NV 89193, USA;
| | | | - Scott Bessler
- Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45204, USA;
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Xu L, Lu YT, Wu DF, Li X, Song M, Hang TJ, Su MX. Application of the metal ions as potential population biomarkers for wastewater-based epidemiology: estimating tobacco consumption in Southern China. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2023:1-13. [PMID: 37060434 PMCID: PMC10105154 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-023-01558-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) is an objective approach for the estimation of population-level exposure to a wide range of substances, in which the use of a population biomarker (PB) could significantly reduce back-calculation errors. Although some endogenous or exogenous compounds such as cotinine and other hormones have been developed as PBs, more PBs still need to be identified and evaluated. This study aimed to propose a novel method to estimate population parameters from the mass load of metal ion biomarkers in wastewater, and estimate the consumption of tobacco in 24 cities in Southern China using the developed method. Daily wastewater samples were collected from 234 wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in 24 cities in Southern China. Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) was applied to determine the concentrations of common health-related metal ions in wastewater, including sodium (Na), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn), and compared them with the daily mass load of cotinine corresponding to catchment populations. The concentrations of cotinine in wastewater samples were measured using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. There were clear and strong correlations between the target metal ion equivalent population and census data. The correlation coefficients (R) were RK = 0.78, RNa = 0.66, RCa = 0.81, RMg = 0.77, and RFe = 0.69, at p < 0.01 and R2 > 0.6. Subsequently, the combination of WBE and metal ion PBs was used to estimate tobacco consumption. Daily consumption of nicotine was estimated to be approximately 1.76 ± 1.19 mg/d/capita, equivalent to an average of 13.0 ± 8.75 cigarettes/d being consumed by smokers. The data on tobacco consumption in this study were consistent with those in traditional surveys in Southern China. The metal ion potassium is an appropriate PB for reflecting the real-time population and could be used to evaluate the tobacco consumption in WBE study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Xu
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, No. 24 Tongjiaxiang Road, Nanjing, 210009, China
- China National Narcotics Control Commission - China Pharmaceutical University Joint Laboratory on Key Technologies of Narcotics Control, No. 24 Tongjiaxiang Road, Nanjing, 210009, China
- Department of Pharmacy, Ordos Central Hospital, No. 23 Yijinhuoluo Road, Ordos, 017000, China
| | - Yu-Ting Lu
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, No. 24 Tongjiaxiang Road, Nanjing, 210009, China
- China National Narcotics Control Commission - China Pharmaceutical University Joint Laboratory on Key Technologies of Narcotics Control, No. 24 Tongjiaxiang Road, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Dong-Feng Wu
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, No. 24 Tongjiaxiang Road, Nanjing, 210009, China
- China National Narcotics Control Commission - China Pharmaceutical University Joint Laboratory on Key Technologies of Narcotics Control, No. 24 Tongjiaxiang Road, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Xuan Li
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, No. 24 Tongjiaxiang Road, Nanjing, 210009, China
- China National Narcotics Control Commission - China Pharmaceutical University Joint Laboratory on Key Technologies of Narcotics Control, No. 24 Tongjiaxiang Road, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Min Song
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, No. 24 Tongjiaxiang Road, Nanjing, 210009, China
- China National Narcotics Control Commission - China Pharmaceutical University Joint Laboratory on Key Technologies of Narcotics Control, No. 24 Tongjiaxiang Road, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Tai-Jun Hang
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, No. 24 Tongjiaxiang Road, Nanjing, 210009, China.
- China National Narcotics Control Commission - China Pharmaceutical University Joint Laboratory on Key Technologies of Narcotics Control, No. 24 Tongjiaxiang Road, Nanjing, 210009, China.
| | - Meng-Xiang Su
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, No. 24 Tongjiaxiang Road, Nanjing, 210009, China.
- China National Narcotics Control Commission - China Pharmaceutical University Joint Laboratory on Key Technologies of Narcotics Control, No. 24 Tongjiaxiang Road, Nanjing, 210009, China.
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Souza CPFAD, Kligerman DC, Bezerra GM, Oliveira JLDM. Environmental risk caused by drug waste in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, during the SARS-Cov19 pandemic. CIENCIA & SAUDE COLETIVA 2023. [DOI: 10.1590/1413-81232023283.05722022en] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract The relationship between the distribution of medicines used in the Pandemic by SARS-COV-19 in the municipality of Rio de Janeiro and the estimated level of environmental risk caused by their residues was evaluated. The amount of medicines distributed by primary health care (PHC) units between 2019 and 2021 were collected. The risk quotient (RQ) corresponded to the ratio between the estimated predictive environmental concentration (PECest) obtained by the consumption and excretion of each drug and its non-effective predictive concentration (PNEC). Between 2019 and 2020, the PECest of azithromycin (AZI) and ivermectin (IVE) increased between 2019 and 2020, with a decrease in 2021 probably due to shortages. Dexchlorpheniramine (DEX) and fluoxetine (FLU) fell, returning to growth in 2021. While the PECest of diazepam (DIA) increased over these 3 years, ethinylestradiol (EE2) decreased possibly due to the prioritization of PHC in the treatment of COVID-19. The largest QR were from FLU, EE2 and AZI. The consumption pattern of these drugs did not reflect their environmental risk because the most consumed ones have low toxicity. It is worth noting that some data may be underestimated due to the incentive given during the pandemic to the consumption of certain groups of drugs.
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Souza CPFAD, Kligerman DC, Bezerra GM, Oliveira JLDM. Environmental risk caused by drug waste in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, during the SARS-Cov19 pandemic. CIENCIA & SAUDE COLETIVA 2023; 28:711. [PMID: 36888856 DOI: 10.1590/1413-81232023283.05722022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The relationship between the distribution of medicines used in the Pandemic by SARS-COV-19 in the municipality of Rio de Janeiro and the estimated level of environmental risk caused by their residues was evaluated. The amount of medicines distributed by primary health care (PHC) units between 2019 and 2021 were collected. The risk quotient (RQ) corresponded to the ratio between the estimated predictive environmental concentration (PECest) obtained by the consumption and excretion of each drug and its non-effective predictive concentration (PNEC). Between 2019 and 2020, the PECest of azithromycin (AZI) and ivermectin (IVE) increased between 2019 and 2020, with a decrease in 2021 probably due to shortages. Dexchlorpheniramine (DEX) and fluoxetine (FLU) fell, returning to growth in 2021. While the PECest of diazepam (DIA) increased over these 3 years, ethinylestradiol (EE2) decreased possibly due to the prioritization of PHC in the treatment of COVID-19. The largest QR were from FLU, EE2 and AZI. The consumption pattern of these drugs did not reflect their environmental risk because the most consumed ones have low toxicity. It is worth noting that some data may be underestimated due to the incentive given during the pandemic to the consumption of certain groups of drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Patricia Figueiredo Antunes de Souza
- Departamento de Saneamento e Saúde Ambiental, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública Sergio Arouca, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. R. Leopoldo Bulhões 1.480, Manguinhos. 21041-210. Rio de Janeiro RJ Brasil.
| | - Débora Cynamon Kligerman
- Departamento de Saneamento e Saúde Ambiental, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública Sergio Arouca, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. R. Leopoldo Bulhões 1.480, Manguinhos. 21041-210. Rio de Janeiro RJ Brasil.
| | | | - Jaime Lopes da Mota Oliveira
- Departamento de Saneamento e Saúde Ambiental, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública Sergio Arouca, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. R. Leopoldo Bulhões 1.480, Manguinhos. 21041-210. Rio de Janeiro RJ Brasil.
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Othman AA, Simpson BS, Jaunay EL, White JM, Bade R, Gerber C. A method for improved detection of 8-isoprostaglandin F 2α/β and benzodiazepines in wastewater. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 851:158061. [PMID: 35985578 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater-based epidemiology is a tool incorporating biomarker analysis that can be used to monitor the health status of a population. Indicators of health include endogenous oxidative stress biomarkers and hormones, or exogenous such as alcohol and nicotine. 8-Iso-prostaglandin F2α/β is a biomarker of endogenous metabolism that can be used to measure oxidative stress in a community. Benzodiazepines are a harmful subclass of anxiolytics either prescribed or sourced illegally. The analysis of oxidative stress markers and uptake of benzodiazepines in wastewater may provide information about distress in the community. A method has been applied to detect 8-isoPGF2α/β and the illicit benzodiazepines clonazolam, flubromazolam and flualprazolam in addition to other prescribed benzodiazepines in wastewater. These substances have been sold as counterfeit pharmaceutical products, such as Xanax, which was formulated to include alprazolam. Deconjugation was initially performed on wastewater samples, followed by liquid-liquid extraction for isoprostanes and solid phase extraction for benzodiazepines to determine the total levels of these analytes. Limits of quantification were in the range of 0.5-2 ng/L for all the analytes except 8-isoPGF2α/β which was 50 ng/L. Stability, recovery and matrix effect studies were also conducted. Finally, this method was applied to influent wastewater from South Australia which showed the prevalence of 8-isoPGF2α/β and benzodiazepines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Adel Othman
- University of South Australia, Clinical and Health Sciences (CHS), Health and Biomedical Innovation, South Australia 5000, Australia
| | - Bradley S Simpson
- University of South Australia, Clinical and Health Sciences (CHS), Health and Biomedical Innovation, South Australia 5000, Australia
| | - Emma L Jaunay
- University of South Australia, Clinical and Health Sciences (CHS), Health and Biomedical Innovation, South Australia 5000, Australia
| | - Jason M White
- University of South Australia, Clinical and Health Sciences (CHS), Health and Biomedical Innovation, South Australia 5000, Australia
| | - Richard Bade
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), the University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Cobus Gerber
- University of South Australia, Clinical and Health Sciences (CHS), Health and Biomedical Innovation, South Australia 5000, Australia.
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Ren H, Yuan S, Zheng J, Luo R, Qiang H, Duan W, Zhao Y, Xiang P. Direct injection ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for the high-throughput determination of 11 illicit drugs and metabolites in wastewater. J Chromatogr A 2022; 1685:463587. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2022.463587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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9
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Xu L, Wang Y, Wu DF, Sun FM, Di B, Xu H, Song M, Lu YT, Hang TJ. Identification and monitoring of fentanyls-related substances in east China sewage water samples by LC-MS for drug enforcement. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 797:149109. [PMID: 34303241 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Revised: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Fentanyls abuse is a persistent international concern. New fentanyl derivatives are constantly appearing, circumventing national and international laws. In this study, laboratory degradation experiment with different conditions such as pH, light, temperature and oxygen availability were compared to improve the understanding of the fentanyls degradation pathways. Twelve major degradants of sufentanil and alfentanil were detected and identified together using UHPLC-QTOF-MS. A total of thirty nine fentanyls including twelve typical fentanyl new psychoactive substances, eighteen manufacturing process-related substances and nine key degradants of sufentanil and alfentanil were screened in 120 sewage water samples collected from 20 sewage water treatment plants chosen among 6 urban cities in east China from July to August in 2020 using a validated UHPLC-MS/MS method. Three fentanyls (fentanyl, sufentanil, alfentanil), seven degradants and six manufacturing process-related substances were found in the test samples. The study could provide a useful tool for the monitoring of the abuses, illegal manufacturing or pharmaceuticals related pollutions of fentanyls and their analogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Xu
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, No. 24 Tongjiaxiang Road, Nanjing 210009, China; China National Narcotics Control Commission-China Pharmaceutical University Joint Laboratory on Key Technologies of Narcotics Control, No. 24 Tongjiaxiang Road, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Ye Wang
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, No. 24 Tongjiaxiang Road, Nanjing 210009, China; China National Narcotics Control Commission-China Pharmaceutical University Joint Laboratory on Key Technologies of Narcotics Control, No. 24 Tongjiaxiang Road, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Dong-Feng Wu
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, No. 24 Tongjiaxiang Road, Nanjing 210009, China; China National Narcotics Control Commission-China Pharmaceutical University Joint Laboratory on Key Technologies of Narcotics Control, No. 24 Tongjiaxiang Road, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Fan-Mei Sun
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, No. 24 Tongjiaxiang Road, Nanjing 210009, China; China National Narcotics Control Commission-China Pharmaceutical University Joint Laboratory on Key Technologies of Narcotics Control, No. 24 Tongjiaxiang Road, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Bin Di
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, No. 24 Tongjiaxiang Road, Nanjing 210009, China; China National Narcotics Control Commission-China Pharmaceutical University Joint Laboratory on Key Technologies of Narcotics Control, No. 24 Tongjiaxiang Road, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Hui Xu
- China National Narcotics Control Commission-China Pharmaceutical University Joint Laboratory on Key Technologies of Narcotics Control, No. 24 Tongjiaxiang Road, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Min Song
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, No. 24 Tongjiaxiang Road, Nanjing 210009, China; China National Narcotics Control Commission-China Pharmaceutical University Joint Laboratory on Key Technologies of Narcotics Control, No. 24 Tongjiaxiang Road, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Yu-Ting Lu
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, No. 24 Tongjiaxiang Road, Nanjing 210009, China; China National Narcotics Control Commission-China Pharmaceutical University Joint Laboratory on Key Technologies of Narcotics Control, No. 24 Tongjiaxiang Road, Nanjing 210009, China.
| | - Tai-Jun Hang
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, No. 24 Tongjiaxiang Road, Nanjing 210009, China; China National Narcotics Control Commission-China Pharmaceutical University Joint Laboratory on Key Technologies of Narcotics Control, No. 24 Tongjiaxiang Road, Nanjing 210009, China.
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Chen L, Guo C, Sun Z, Xu J. Occurrence, bioaccumulation and toxicological effect of drugs of abuse in aquatic ecosystem: A review. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 200:111362. [PMID: 34048744 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/15/2021] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Drugs of abuse are a group of emerging contaminants. As the prevalence of manufacture and consumption, there is a growing global environmental burden and ecological risk from the continuous release of these contaminants into environment. The widespread occurrence of drugs of abuse in waste wasters and surface waters is due to the incomplete removal through traditional wastewater treatment plants in different regions around the world. Although their environmental concentrations are not very high, they can potentially influence the aquatic organisms and ecosystem function. This paper reviews the occurrence of drugs of abuse and their metabolites in waste waters and surface waters, their bioaccumulation in aquatic plants, fishes and benthic organisms and even top predators, and the toxicological effects such as genotoxic effect, cytotoxic effect and even behavioral effect on aquatic organisms. In summary, drugs of abuse occur widely in aquatic environment, and may exert adverse impact on aquatic organisms at molecular, cellular or individual level, and even on aquatic ecosystem. It necessitates the monitoring and risk assessment of these compounds on diverse aquatic organisms in the further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Like Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China; State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Ecological Effect and Risk Assessment of Chemicals, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
| | - Changsheng Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China; State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Ecological Effect and Risk Assessment of Chemicals, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
| | - Zhenyu Sun
- Jiangsu Rainfine Environmental Science and Technology Co.,Ltd, Henan Branch Zhengzhou, 450000, China
| | - Jian Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China; State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Ecological Effect and Risk Assessment of Chemicals, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China.
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11
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Styszko K, Proctor K, Castrignanò E, Kasprzyk-Hordern B. Occurrence of pharmaceutical residues, personal care products, lifestyle chemicals, illicit drugs and metabolites in wastewater and receiving surface waters of Krakow agglomeration in South Poland. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 768:144360. [PMID: 33450690 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.144360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Revised: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
This is the first study of broad range of chemical classes CECs conducted in the upper Wisla river catchment including the biggest WWTPs in this region and surface waters. The list of compounds is extensive and the paper provides, for the first time, better understanding of environmental burden from PCPCs in Poland. Cumulative contribution of hypertension pharmaceuticals, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and lifestyle chemicals was 89% and 95% in wastewater influent, and 75% in wastewater effluent at both WWTPs. Significant removal efficiencies, exceeding 90%, were found for parabens, UV filters, NSAIDs, steroid estrogens, plasticizers, antibacterials/antibiotics, stimulants and metabolites and lifestyle chemicals. The comparison of the average mass loads of CECs between the influent and effluent, has shown that 27% and 29% of all detected CECs were removed by less than 50%. An increase of concentrations of CECs in the effluent was observed for 18% and 20% of all detected CECs in Kujawy and Plaszow WWTPs, respectively. Negative mass balances of fexofenadine, venlafaxine, o-desmethyltramadol, ketamine and temazepam were noted within WWTPs, which are a result of dissolution of persistent contaminants accumulated in aggregates and/or back-transformation or de-conjugation of metabolites into parent compounds. 44 CECs were detected in surface waters located upstream and downstream of the WWTPs. The concentrations of compounds were largely dependent on the dilution factor of WWTP discharge. The risk quotation (RQ) values for compounds present in surface waters were calculated in relation to their potential for bioaccumulation. Among compounds with high potential for bioaccumulation, with log KOW ≥ 4.5, diclofenac, atorvastatin and triclosan were found to be of high risk. Many CECs with high, moderate or even low environmental impact have shown high potential for bioaccumulation and should be considered as priority at the same risk level. Moreover, possible synergistic action is still of concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Styszko
- AGH University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Energy and Fuels, Department of Coal Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, al. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Kraków, Poland.
| | - Kathryn Proctor
- University of Bath, Department of Chemistry, Bath BA2 7AY, United Kingdom
| | - Erika Castrignanò
- University of Bath, Department of Chemistry, Bath BA2 7AY, United Kingdom; Department of Analytical, Environmental & Forensic Sciences, School of Population Health & Environmental Sciences, King's College London, London SE1 9NH, United Kingdom
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12
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Yadav MK, Kumar A, Short MD, Nidumolu B, Saint CP. Aquatic Phytotoxicity to Lemna minor of Three Commonly Used Drugs of Addiction in Australia. BULLETIN OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2019; 103:710-716. [PMID: 31482305 DOI: 10.1007/s00128-019-02708-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2019] [Accepted: 08/28/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The manufacturing and consumption of drugs of addiction has increased globally and their widespread occurrence in the environment is an emerging concern. This study evaluated the phytotoxicity of three compounds: methamphetamine, codeine and morphine; commonly reported in Australian urban water, to the aquatic plant Lemna minor under controlled conditions. L. minor was sensitive to lower drug concentrations when administered in multi-compound mixtures (100-500 µg L-1) than when applied individually (range 600-2500 µg L-1), while no adverse effects were observed at environmentally-relevant concentrations (1-5 µg L-1) detected in wastewater effluent. In conclusion, the results show that the concentrations of these compounds discharged into the environment are unlikely to pose adverse phytotoxic effects. These three compounds are known to be the most stable of their group under such conditions indicating that with this respect it is safe to use recycled water for existing regulated reclaimed purposes including agricultural or parklands irrigation or replenishing surface and groundwater. However, more research on the analysis of methamphetamines and opiates in municipal effluents is needed to reassure the likely environmental hazard of these neuroactive drug classes to aquatic organisms. Given the ever-growing production and aquatic disposal of discharge wastewater globally, this study provides timely and valuable insights into the likely drug-related impacts of effluent disposal on aquatic plants in receiving environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meena K Yadav
- Natural and Built Environments Research Centre, School of Natural and Built Environments, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes, SA, 5095, Australia
| | - Anu Kumar
- CSIRO, Land and Water, Waite Campus, Urrbrae, SA, 5064, Australia
| | - Michael D Short
- Natural and Built Environments Research Centre, School of Natural and Built Environments, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes, SA, 5095, Australia
- Future Industries Institute, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes, SA, 5095, Australia
| | - Bhanu Nidumolu
- CSIRO, Land and Water, Waite Campus, Urrbrae, SA, 5064, Australia
| | - Christopher P Saint
- Natural and Built Environments Research Centre, School of Natural and Built Environments, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes, SA, 5095, Australia.
- Future Industries Institute, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes, SA, 5095, Australia.
- Division of Information Technology, Engineering and the Environment, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes, SA, 5095, Australia.
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Fluorescence Excitation-Emission Spectroscopy: An Analytical Technique to Monitor Drugs of Addiction in Wastewater. WATER 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/w11020377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Emerging contaminants of concern have become a serious issue for the scientific community and society more broadly in recent years due to their increasingly widespread environmental distribution and largely unknown environmental and human health impacts. This study aimed to explore the use of fluorescence excitation-emission (F-EEM) spectroscopy as an alternative analytical method to evaluate the presence of key drugs of addiction (benzoylecgonine, methamphetamine, MDMA, codeine and morphine) in wastewater treatment plants. The chemicals of interest from wastewater were extracted by mixed-mode solid phase extraction and quantified using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. The same wastewater samples were also analysed by a fluorescence spectrophotometer for fluorescence spectra at wavelengths 280–600 nm (emission) and 200–600 nm (excitation). The study also investigated the relevance of different methods for interpreting F-EEM matrices data including parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) modelling and fluorescence regional integration technique. PARAFAC identified four components, and among them, component C2, identified at the λex/λem = 275/340 nm wavelength associated with proteinaceous compounds most likely related to tryptophan amino acid, showed significant correlation with codeine removal. MDMA and morphine were not correlated to any of the fluorescence regions. The fluorescence regions related to aromatic protein-like fluorescence were correlated significantly with drug concentration and so may offer a suitable alternative approach for monitoring drugs including benzoylecgonine, methamphetamine and codeine.
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