Residues of medicines pollute the environment

04/11/2014

Waters and soils are increasingly burdened by the residues of pharmaceuticals. A research project commissioned by the Federal Environment Agency (UBA) has shown that traces of more than 630 different active pharmaceutical ingredients in bodies of water, soil, sewage sludge and living organisms can be detected in many parts of the world. „17 active ingredients were present in all regions of the world“, so the message of the UBA.

Currently, according to the Federal Environmental Agency by the „Environmental program UNEP of the United Nations“ checked if the topic „Medicines in the environment“ to form a new important field of action in the international chemical program SAICM. The fact that more and more residues or degradation products of medicines are to be detected in the environment is, in the view of the UBA, a clear cause for concern.

Painkillers in waters and soils
Very often, for example, is an environmental impact of the active ingredient diclofenac (painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs), reports the Federal Environment Agency. This active substance has been detected in the waters of a total of 50 different countries. In 35 of these countries, readings exceeded a water concentration of 0.1 micrograms per liter - a value close to „laboratory concentration, at which initial damage to fish was observed“, so the message of the UBA. In Europe, this value is the basis of „Environmental quality standard for surface waters“ However, the EU Member States could only agree to regularly measure the concentration of the substance in the waters and to develop possible countermeasures if exceeded. Other proven substances were according to the UBA „the antiepileptic drug carbamazepine, the painkiller ibuprofen, the pills hormone ethinylestradiol and the antibiotic sulfamethoxazole.“

Drug residues in the environment are a worldwide problem
Overall, the data on the occurrence of medicines in the environment for Germany and the other EU countries as well as for North America and China has improved significantly in recent years, reports the Federal Environment Agency. So far, little was known about the global situation. „In particular, information on environmental pollution in some of the major producing countries of drugs such as India is hardly publicized“, criticized the UBA. According to the acting UBA President, Thomas Holzmann, can „The Federal Environment Agency now reliably prove that drug residues in the environment worldwide represent a relevant problem.“ This can only be solved if international chemical safety is significantly improved, for example in the context of the international chemical program SAICM (Strategic Approach to International Chemical Management). This United Nations-sponsored program for greater chemical safety aims to reduce the negative effects of chemicals on human health and the environment to the lowest possible level by 2020.

Unexplained effects on the environment
The medicinal products for human use, according to the UBA „mainly via domestic wastewater into the environment“, as they are usually not fully degraded after ingestion by the body and therefore excreted again. The sewage treatment plants often can not hold back all drug residues and in many countries the treatment plants are completely missing, so that the active ingredients reach the water directly. Here they can according to the UBA „Damage plants and animals.“ Furthermore, veterinary drugs „for the most part on manure and manure of treated animals in soil and water“ reach. Little information is available on the long-term effects of these substances on ecosystems. In laboratory experiments and field trials but would have „negative effects such as reduced growth, behavioral changes or diminished reproductive capacity in living organisms in the environment“ shown. Furthermore, be „Hormones, antiparasitics and certain analgesics“ as particularly environmentally relevant, since they can be toxic to the environment even at low concentrations and are often very durable. (Fp)

Picture: Andrea Damm