Determination of beta-adrenergic receptor blocking pharmaceuticals in United States wastewater effluent

Beta adrenergic receptor antagonists (beta-Blockers) are frequently prescribed medications in the United States and have been identified in European municipal wastewater effluent, however no studies to date have investigated these compounds in United States wastewater effluent. Municipal wastewater effluent was collected from treatment facilities in Mississippi, Texas, and New York to investigate the occurrence of metoprolol, nadolol, and propranolol. Propranolol was identified in all wastewater samples analyzed (n = 34) at concentrations less than or equal to 1.9 mug/l. Metoprolol and nadolol were identified in greater than or equal to 71% of the samples with concentrations of metoprolol less than or equal to 1.2 mug/l and nadolol less than or equal to 0.36 mug/l. Time course studies at both Mississippi plants and the Texas plant indicate that concentrations of propranolol, metoprolol, and nadolol remain relatively constant at each sampling period. This study indicates that beta-Blockers are present in United States wastewater effluent in the ng/l to mug/l range. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.