Pharmaceuticals and personal care products as emerging micropollutants in Brazilian surface waters: A preliminary snapshot on environmental contamination and risks

Abstract

This work aimed to present a preliminary snapshot on the contamination and risks of Brazilian surface waters concerning the presence of hormones, pharmaceuticals and personal care products. Data gathered in the literature for Measured Environmental Concentrations (MEC) in Brazilian surface waters were compared with the most restrictive Predicted No-Effect Concentration (PNEC) available in the literature. A risk assessment was performed revealing that hormones, antibiotics drugs and triclosan should be prioritized to subsidize the generation of water quality standards to protect aquatic life.