Pharmaceuticals in Wastewater Treatment Plant Effluent Waters

Abstract

Pharmaceuticals are being used at an increasing rate, and end up in wastewater through excretion and disposal. They also end up in the effluent water of wastewater treatment plants because they are not specifically designed for pharmaceutical removal. Several studies suggest diverse negative effects on aquatic life that are exposed to these trace amounts of pharmaceuticals in their habitats. There is also a concern for human exposure in areas that utilize wastewater reuse, although there is limited study in this area. Despite these concerns, there are very few policies that address the issue of pharmaceutical pollution. The evaluation of the treatment methods of activated sludge, advanced membrane treatment, and constructed wetlands help to determine which of these options should be improved or replaced by different strategies. Additionally, there are other ways of solving this issue, such as developing more environmentally-friendly drugs and different ways of treating health problems. Pharmaceuticals