Human health risk assessment of pharmaceuticals in treated wastewater reused for non-potable applications in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

Pharmaceuticals and personal care products are an integral part of societal health yet their presence in various environmental compartments, including treated wastewaters, has sparked concerns towards possible human and ecological health effects. The current study aims to characterize human health risks posed by ten pharmaceuticals quantified in wastewater treatment plant effluents where water is reused mainly for landscape irrigation. Receptors were identified as children playing in green areas, adult landscape workers, and adult users of athletic and golf courses irrigated by treated wastewater. The human health risk assessment model exhibited safe exposure (RQ < 1) to all pharmaceuticals for all receptors through both dermal and ingestion exposure pathways. RQs were highest for the landscape worker followed by children playing in green areas and then adult using the athletic fields. RQs were highest to lowest in the following order of pharmaceuticals: acetaminophen, metoprolol, ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, ofloxacin, sulfadiazine, sulfamethoxazole, sulfapyridine, risperidone, and sulfamethazine. Such risk assessment findings aid in supporting decisions to optimize wastewater treatment and reuse strategies, as well as safeguard public and environmental health.