Ecotoxicity, Occurrence, and Removal of Pharmaceuticals and Illicit Drugs from Aquatic Systems

Pollutants of legal pharmaceuticals and illicit drugs are causing many adverse effects on the environment. Pollutants are arising from waste products and from pharmaceuticals or illegal drugs that have not been disposed of properly. Pharmaceuticals and illegal drugs are becoming subject of concern for the past few decades after they attracted considerable attention because they do not willingly biodegrade & remain toxic. Pharmaceuticals compounds such as antibiotics, anti-inflammatory, psychotropic, human drugs, hormones, and illicit drugs usually occur in wastewater from households, hospitals, health care clinics, veterinary, etc. ends in the water system. They potentially impact human health & aquatic life. Recent studies confirm legal pharmaceuticals & illegal drug residue in drinking water, surface water & groundwater. Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) have been considered as hotspots of Pharmaceuticals residue. This removes contaminants from water using physical, chemical & biological processes. This review focuses on the occurrence, toxicity, and elimination of legal pharmaceuticals and illicit drugs in water systems.

Automated summary

The pollutants from legal pharmaceuticals and illicit drugs are causing adverse effects on the environment, and have become a concern due to their toxicity and lack of biodegradability. Recent studies have confirmed the presence of these residues in drinking water, surface water, and groundwater, with wastewater treatment plants considered hotspots for pharmaceutical residue removal.