Impact of the Veterinary Pharmaceutical Ivermectin on Aquatic Organisms: an ERAPharm Case Study

摘要

Ivermectin is a veterinary parasiticide, which has been used in livestock since more than 20 years. Due to its sorption to soil and organic matter, it was assumed in previous environmental risk assessments that the entry of ivermectin into the aquatic environment is unlikely. However, ivermectin may enter the aquatic environment, e.g. when treated animals defecate directly into water. Within the EU-project ERAPharm, a range of studies has been carried out to further investigate fate and effects of ivermectin. Laboratory tests revealed a high chronic toxicity of ivermectin to pelagic and sediment-dwelling organisms. In addition, leachate from soil columns, to which ivermectin had been applied, was very toxic to daphnids. Recently, an aquatic multi-species test was carried out to address the effects of exposure of aquatic invertebrates via cattle dung. These effects data are used to better assess possible risks of ivermectin to the aquatic compartment.