Pharmaceutical Residues in the Environment - New European Integrated Programs Required

摘要

A variety of pharmaceuticals has been detected in many environmental samples worldwide. Given the unpredictable and possible severe effects, there is substantial public concern about the environment contamination with pharmaceutical residues. Nevertheless, only preliminary measures aimed at protecting the environment from adverse effects of pharmaceutical pollutants are in place; these measures must be supplemented by integrated programs. This paper provides an overview of recent scientific research on the sources and occurrence of pharmaceuticals in the environment, an up to date review of the EU regulations and directives on the environmental protection with respect to pharmaceuticals and emphases the problems encountered in the implementation of the protection measures.