Disposal of pharmaceuticals wastes by the population of an outcrop area of the Guarani Aquifer System in Southern Brazil

Abstract

Pharmaceutical waste is considered emerging pollutant that can contaminate water sources and underground water, besides is serious problem for waste management in Brazil. The objective of this study was to evaluate the pharmaceutical consumption for human use and the way expired and unused medicines are disposed by the population. The study was carried out in two neighborhoods of the Lages, under outcrop of the Guarani Aquifer, in southern Brazil. In this descriptive and quantitative study, data collection occurred between August and October of 2018 via a questionnaire completed by 309 participants. The questions addressed about sociodemographic data, information on the medicine consumption, disposal of pharmaceuticals residue and about the basic sanitation in the neighborhood. The pharmaceuticals class most used were anti-hypertension and diuretics, indicating an elevated occurrence of non-transmittable chronic illnesses. About 68% of participants stated that there are leftovers of medications after medical treatment and 70.2% that there is expired medication at household. The disposal of leftover and expired pharmaceutical was in domestic waste, followed by discharged into domestic sewage. Only a small percentage (<15%) of the participants adequately dispose of their medication waste. The inadequate disposal of household pharmaceutical in the study area can result in contamination by chemical substances of the Guarani Aquifer and superficial waters.