MRI contrast agent detected in drinking water

„Eco test“ Finds gadolinium in the drinking water of many cities

08/29/2014

Contaminations of drinking water with residues of medicines have already been proven several times in the past. However, the consequences of drug residues for humans have so far been controversial among experts. While some assume that due to the low concentrations, no health consequences for human health are to be feared, others argue with the already proven adverse effects on the flora and fauna. These would suggest that similar negative effects could be expected in humans as well.

The magazine „Eco test“ criticized in the face of repeated evidence of drug residues in drinking water that until today „regular analyzes are not required by law“ are. With its own study of drinking water from 69 German cities, the journal has now checked how severe the load of water with the MRI contrast agent gadolinium actually is. The result shows how urgently needed regular statutory examinations would be. However, these can only find what is being sought, which makes the work considerably harder with the ever-growing number of active ingredients. Therefore, for example, the Federal Environmental Agency pleads for it, „not just at the end, but at the beginning of the life cycle of a drug.“ The method is called „Green Pharmacy“ and means that environmental aspects such as better degradation behavior are already included in the development of a drug. The extremely stable chemical compounds that are present in many medicines today would therefore be avoided as far as possible in the future.

Examination of drinking water for gadolinium residues
In the current investigation of the magazine „Eco test“ By way of example, residues of gadolinium were sought in the drinking water, with the contrast medium and the residues, as well as other remedies, entering the wastewater with the excretions of the patients and being unable to be filtered out or eliminated by the sewage treatment plants on the basis of the current state of the art. „After the drugs have done their work, they do not just disappear, but go on a big journey and come sometime - albeit in a highly diluted form - back to the consumer from the tap“, reported „eco test“. Only a few days ago, the Federal Environment Agency had an analysis (title: „Compilation of monitoring data on environmental concentrations of medicinal products“), which shows that at least 23 active substances and metabolites have already been detected in drinking water. The analysis prepared by the IWW Rheinisch-Westfälisches Institut für Wasser reports, for example, residues of painkillers such as naproxen, X-ray contrast agents, lipid-lowering agents such as clofibric acid and their metabolites „Eco test“

Drug residues in drinking water is a growing problem
If the results of the Federal Environment Agency on drug residues in drinking water were already alarming, it becomes clear when looking at surface waters and groundwater how far-reaching the problem really is. According to Umweltbundes, there are 55 positive substances in groundwater and even surface waters „131 positive findings, including individual X-ray contrast agents with extreme values ​​of up to 100 µg / l“, so the message from „Eco test“. For the coming years, it should also be assumed that the burden continues to increase, not least because an increasingly aging society is consuming more and more drugs. Alone in 2012, according to the Federal Environment Agency „Of the approximately 1,200 active substances from human medicines with potential environmental relevance consumed a total of 8,120 tons“ Service. Another 2,500 tonnes of environmentally relevant active substances were administered with veterinary medicinal products. A considerable proportion of the substances ends up in the waters. In addition, many Germans mistakenly dispose of expired and unneeded medicines via the toilet or spout. Thus, drug residues in groundwater, in surface waters and also in drinking water are becoming a growing problem. (Fp)