Recently, the intersection of pharmaceuticals and environmental health has become an urgent and pressing concern, garnering significant attention from scientists, policymakers, and the public alike.
Pharmaceuticals, while providing immense benefits to people and animals, pose a potential risk to the environment, particularly as many drugs are broken down by humans and then released into water bodies and soil. These compounds can affect aquatic life and potentially enter the human food chain, raising serious concerns over long-term ecological and health impacts.
Environmental Impact
The primary environmental contamination occurs through various channels, including improper medication disposal, agricultural runoff, human excretion, and waste from pharmaceutical manufacturing processes. Studies have shown that active pharmaceutical ingredients are being detected in water bodies globally. Traces of drugs like antibiotics, antidepressants, and hormones are found in rivers and streams across over 71 countries. Outside of approved pharmaceuticals, even substances like cocaine have been found in water.
