Degradation of aqueous pharmaceuticals by ozonation and advanced oxidation processes: A review

A vast number of pharmaceuticals have been detected in surface water and drinking water around the world, which indicates their ineffective removal from water and waste-water using conventional treatment technologies. Concerns have been raised over the potential adverse effects of pharmaceuticals on public health and aquatic environment. Among the different treatment options, ozonation and advanced oxidation processes are likely promising for efficient degradation of pharmaceuticals in water and waste-water. Recent progress of advanced oxidation of aqueous pharmaceuticals is reviewed in this paper. The pharmaceuticals and non-therapeutic medical agent of interest include antibiotics, anticonvulsants, antipyretics, beta-blockers, cytostatic drugs, H-2 antagonists, estrogenic hormone and contraceptives, blood lipid regulators, and X-ray contrast media.