PHARMACEUTICAL AND PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS IN THE ENVIRONMENT: A REVIEW OF CURRENT RESEARCH AND IMPLICATIONS FOR FUTURE MANAGEMENT

摘要

The disposal of pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs) is an issue of rising importance to the health of the environment and those who monitor and protect it. Concerns about medication disposal were limited to preventing children or animals from obtaining the medications accidentally. This resulted in the common practice of washing pharmaceuticals into the sewage system and throwing them into the trash. Studies have shown that many pharmaceuticals are not removed by sewage treatment systems and enter the aquatic environment. In the environment, concerns over the effects of pharmaceuticals have emerged as studies have shown pharmaceuticals to influence wildlife and possibly change biological systems. New technology and methods are allowing scientists to search for and measure the effects of pharmaceuticals and personal products in the environment, resulting in an environmental issue with rapidly expanding importance to solid waste managers faced with managing this emerging issue. The sources of pharmaceuticals in the environment, their effects and influences in the environment, and regulations affecting their disposal are discussed. Additionally, lessons learned from pharmaceutical collection pilot programs are presented