Wastewater treatment does not remove all drugs
Drugs in Wastewater Treatment
Context
Modern wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are designed to remove organic matter, nutrients, and pathogens, but pharmaceutical residues remain a challenge.
Rising global use of medicines leads to their presence in sewage, rivers, and lakes → Pharmaceutical Pollution.
Study Findings
Fully removed: Naproxen, Salicylic acid.
Partly removed: Ibuprofen, Sulphamethoxazole (antibiotic), Ketoprofen.
Persist in sludge: Fluoxetine (antidepressant), Carbamazepine (antiepileptic), Metoprolol (beta-blocker).
High ecological risk: Fluoxetine & Loratadine (antihistamine).
Moderate concern: Ibuprofen, Sulphamethoxazole.
Risks Identified
Aquatic ecosystems:
Algae growth disruption (base of food chain).
Toxicity to tiny crustaceans (zooplankton) and fish → biodiversity loss.
Bioaccumulation: Persistent drugs may concentrate in aquatic species, entering the food web.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR): Residues of antibiotics (e.g., sulphamethoxazole) promote resistant bacterial strains.
Challenges in Removal
Conventional WWTPs (primary–secondary treatment) not designed to break down complex pharmaceuticals.
Many drugs are chemically stable, hydrophilic, or bind strongly to sludge.
Advanced methods (ozonation, activated carbon, membrane filtration) are costly.
