RESUMO

The present study provides an environmental risk assessment of the pharmaceutical mixtures detected in Brazilian surface waters, based on Toxic Units and Risk Quotients. Furthermore, the applicability of a previously proposed prioritization methodology was evaluated. The pharmaceuticals were classified according to their properties (occurrence, persistence, bioaccumulation, and toxicity) and the contribution of the prioritized compounds to the mixture risk was determined. The mixture risk quotients, based on acute and chronic toxicity data, often exceed 1, demonstrating a potential risk for the environment. While algae were most affected by acute effects, fish were the most sensitive organism to sublethal effects. The lipid regulator atorvastatin was the main driver for the mixture risk. Despite their lower occurrence, the antibiotics norfloxacin and enrofloxacin were critical compounds for the algae group. The prioritized pharmaceuticals contributed to more than 75% of the mixture risk in most of cases, indicating the applicability of prioritization approaches for risk management.

Assuntos

Preparações Farmacêuticas , Poluentes Químicos da Água , Animais , Bioacumulação , Monitoramento Ambiental , Medição de Risco , Poluentes Químicos da Água/análise , Poluentes Químicos da Água/toxicidade

RESUMO

The presence of pharmaceuticals in aquatic environments has become a major issue of concern for scientific community, since there is a lack of information about risks and impacts to the environment and public health. In the context of Brazil, many cities do not have Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs) and domestic sewage is dumped directly into the water bodies, aggravating the problem. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the presence of 28 prescribed pharmaceuticals from different therapeutic classes in six full-scale Drinking Water Treatment Plants (DWTPs) in Minas Gerais state. Samples were collected in twelve field campaigns from August 2016 to August 2017 and water quality were monitored. Analytical methodology was based on solid phase extraction (C18 cartridge) followed by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (Prominence DGU/20A3 - Shimadzu) coupled to Mass Spectrometry (micrOTOF-QII - Bruker). Considering the 28 pharmaceuticals analyzed, 18 were detected in the surface water source at concentrations ranging from Method Quantification Limit (MQL) to 11,960 ng/L. In drinking water, the concentration of the 11 pharmaceuticals detected ranged from

Assuntos

Monitoramento Ambiental/métodos , Preparações Farmacêuticas/análise , Poluentes Químicos da Água/análise , Purificação da Água/métodos , Brasil , Cidades , Água Potável/química , Estações do Ano , Esgotos/química , Águas Residuárias/química , Abastecimento de Água