The first national integrated study for the mapping of drugs in the environment, carried out by a team of researchers from the Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Coimbra (FFUC), revealed the presence of residues of various drugs in the water of Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTP). ) from Portugal (affluents and effluents).
The study is intended to comply with the provisions of Directive 2013/39/EU, which requires the assessment of potential risks to the environment of medicines and the implementation of measures to mitigate damage.
The pharmacotherapeutic group detected at the highest levels was the group of anti-inflammatory drugs, followed by anti-dyslipidemics, antibiotics and, finally, anxiolytics, shows the study "Ecopharmap", co-financed by European funds, by the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) and the Compete program.
For a year, the researchers, coordinated by Angelina Pena, a specialist at the Center for Pharmaceutical Studies of the University of Coimbra, monitored 11 drugs, belonging to four therapeutic groups, in 15 WWTP in Portugal.
“Although a high removal efficiency was observed for some drugs, the values varied between therapeutic groups and throughout the year”, says Angelina Pena.
The results will be presented and analyzed, on June 18, during the seminar “Emerging Pollutants: Environmental and Public Health Concerns”, which will take place at the Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Coimbra (FFUC).
Author: Cristina Pinto (Press Office – University of Coimbra)
Science in the Regional Press – Ciência Viva
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