The Life-Cycle of Pharmaceuticals in the Environment

The Life-Cycle of Pharmaceuticals in the Environment identifies pathways of entry of pharmaceuticals into the environment, beginning with the role of global prescribing and disposal practices. The book then discusses typical levels of common pharmaceuticals and how they can be determined in natural waters such as raw and treated sewage, and in potable water. In addition, sections examine methods currently available to degrade pharmaceuticals in natural waters and some of their ecotoxicological impacts, along with future considerations and the growing concept of product stewardship. Encompasses the full lifecycle of common pharmaceuticals, from prescription and dispensing practices to their occurrence in a range of different types of natural waters and their environmental impact Explores the role of the healthcare system and its affect on users Beneficial for environmental engineers involved in the design and operation of appropriate degradation technologies of the pharmaceutical prescription and disposal practices

Autorentext
Barrie M. Peake is an Associate Professor of Environmental Chemistry in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Otago, Dunedin New Zealand. Dr Rhiannon Braund is an Associate Professor in the School of Pharmacy at the University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.Alfred Tong is a doctoral graduate from the School of Pharmacy and the Department of Chemistry, at the University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.Dr Louis Tremblay is an ecotoxicologist at the Cawthron Institute , Nelson, New Zealand and a Senior Lecturer at the School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.

Klappentext
This book identifies pathways of entry of pharmaceuticals into the environment - beginning with the role of global prescribing and disposal practices. It then discusses typical levels of common pharmaceuticals and how they can be determined in natural waters such as raw and treated sewage, and potable water.

Inhalt

Prescribing practices of pharmaceuticals; Disposal practices of pharmaceuticals; Pharmaceutical levels detected within natural waters; Removal and degradation of pharmaceuticals in natural waters; Environmental impact; Conclusions/future policies.