Pharmaceuticals in the environment

Pharmaceuticals in the Environment.By:Abdel-Rahman Ragab

Outlines.

1- why interests increased for presence of pharmaceuticals in the environment ?

2- Pathways for entry into the environment.

3- Environmental detection of pharmaceuticals.

Part 1 : why interests increased for presence of pharmaceuticals in

the environment ?

Vet diclofenac catastrophe.In 1980s there were up to 80 million eagles in India; but today the population numbers only several thousand.99% decline of eagles species in south Asia.

Effects on aquatic organisms.1-tricyclic antidepressants (ppb levels) : affect on development ,spawning and behaviors in shellfish, ciliates and other aquatic organisms.2-calcium-channel blockers : affect on sperm activity of some aquatic.3- Antiepileptic drugs : trigger extensive apoptosis in the developing brain of human neurodegeneration.4-ppm and sub-ppm levels of various drugs (NSAIDS, glucocorticoids, anti-fibrotics) affect collagen metabolism in teleost fish, leading to defective/blocked fin regeneration.5- Multi-drug transporters (efflux pumps) are common defensive strategies for aquatic biota — possible significance of efflux pump inhibitors in compromising aquatic health?

Drugs Having Double Uses: Medicinals and Pest-Control AgentsIt poses the possibility that these alternative uses serve as additional sources for their introduction to the environment. Examples:(4-aminopyridine, warfarin,triclosan,azacholesterols,antibiotics ,acetaminophen,caffeine,NSAIDs and pentobarbital).Acetaminophen : analgesic and useful for control brownTree snake

Antibiotics and endocrine disruptors.-antibiotics cause bacterial resistance .-endocrine disruptors : interfere with hormone and disrupt its function ex: estrogen in contraceptive pill.

A total of US$954 billion was spent on prescription medications globally in 2011 alone. in 2002 95 contaminant measured in us. 94cg

Figure 1 Number of publications per year for the period 1996–2014 retrieved using Web of Knowledge™ and the search words “pharmaceutical*” and “waste water.”

Part 2: Pathways for entry into the environment.

Pathways to sewage.

Wastes of Pharmaceutical manufacture

sewageUrine &

feces

bathing

disposing

Pathways to Air .

Non inhaled active ingredient

insignificant

completelyoxidized to innocuous compounds such as

carbon dioxide and water

Pathways to soil.

Urine & feces

sewage

disposing into the waste

bin

Wastes of Pharmaceutical manufacture

River/Estuarine/Coastal water

Pathway to water.

Surface water

Sewage treatment

River/Estuarine/Coastal water

Ground waterLandfill

Pathway to water

River/Estuarine/Coastal water

Sewage treatment

Soil

Surface water

swimming

Pathway to biota.

River/Estuarine/Coastal water

Groundwater Drinking water sources

Figure 2 Pathways for entry into the environment.

Part 3: Environmental detection of

pharmaceuticals.

Figure 2: Procedures and techniques used in the preparation and analysis of environmental samples.

Sample collection.Solid sludge.

collection

Placed in glass bottle then freeze-dried and ground to 250 µm sized particle before storage .

Sample collection.-composite sample, grab sampler,24-h sample with weather consideration ( rain and seasonal variation).

bottle types used for the collection of water Samples.

-Type chosen according to analyte of interest and environmental sample . -silanized or not (alkoxysilane molecules).-recovery % & physicochemical properties important .

Amber

Clear glass

PET HDPE

Sample bottle types used for the collection of watersamples in some field investigations of pharmaceutical analytes

Sample storage. Purpose :prevention bacterial growth & analyte degradation.When direct analysis isn't available .Preservative are added ex HCL,HNO3 and H2SO4. 72 h store at 4 °C without preservative.3 weeks at 4 °C 24 h then frozen at -20 °C for 3 weeks

Sample filtration. Purpose : to remove particulate matter with filter paper.Type of filter paper depend on analyte of interest Ex estrogen glass fiber filters

Extraction.Purpose : increase conc of analyte to reach detection limit of device .2 types Solid-phase extraction & Liquid–liquid extraction.Solid –phase extraction is suitable .

Separtion.By high performance (pressure) liquid chromatography (HPLC)

Mass spectrometric detection and quantization