An Initial Approach to the Presence of Pharmaceuticals in Wastewater from Hospitals in Colombia and Their Environmental Risk
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INVESTIGACIONMetadata
Title
An Initial Approach to the Presence of Pharmaceuticals in Wastewater from Hospitals in Colombia and Their Environmental RiskAuthor (s)
Date
2022-03-18Publisher
MDPIISSN
2073-4441Bibliographic citation
Botero-Coy, A.M.; Rosero-Moreano, M.; Lee, J.; Hernández, F.; Torres-Palma, R.A. An Initial Approach to the Presence of Pharmaceuticals in Wastewater from Hospitals in Colombia and Their Environmental Risk. Water 2022, 14, 950. https://doi.org/10.3390/ w14060950Type
info:eu-repo/semantics/articleVersion
info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersionSubject
Abstract
Hospital wastewater (HWW) from three different cities in Colombia was characterized.
Wastewater quality indicators and 38 relevant pharmaceuticals were examined. The HWW had pH
from 6.82 to 8.06, chemical oxygen ... [+]
Hospital wastewater (HWW) from three different cities in Colombia was characterized.
Wastewater quality indicators and 38 relevant pharmaceuticals were examined. The HWW had pH
from 6.82 to 8.06, chemical oxygen demand was between 235.5 and 1203 mg L−1, and conductivity
ranged from 276.5 to 717.5 µS cm−1. Additionally, most of the target pharmaceuticals (20 of 38)
had 100% occurrence frequency in the samples due to their high and continuous consumption in
the hospitals. Indeed, acetaminophen, diclofenac, azithromycin, ciprofloxacin, sulfamethoxazole,
losartan, metoprolol, and omeprazole were present in all samples at concentrations from one up
to some hundreds of µg L−1. Once pharmaceuticals are discharged into local sewage systems or
rivers, because of the high dilution of HWW, the individual environmental hazards are low (i.e.,
risk quotients, RQ < 0.1 were determined). The action of conventional treatments on HWW also
decreased the individual environmental risks of pharmaceuticals (RQ values < 0.1). However, the
mixture of pharmaceuticals in the HWW had potential environmental risks (as RQ > 0.1 were found),
remarking the need for efficient processes to eliminate pharmaceuticals from HWW. This work
provides an initial view on the characterization of diverse Colombian HWW, which could be useful
for the understanding of the current situation of pollution by pharmaceuticals in Latin America. [-]
Is part of
Water 2022, 14, 950Funder Name
MINCIENICIAS COLOMBIA | ROYAL SOCIETY-UK | MINISTRY OF SCIENCE INNOVATION AND UNIVERSITY, Spain | Generalitat Valenciana | Universidad de Antioquia UdeA”
Project code
111577757323 | ICAnR1n191053 | RTI2018-097417-BI00 | Prometeo 2019/040
Project title or grant
“Sound” methods of remediating emerging contaminants in hospital wastewater
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info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
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