Recalcitrant Pharmaceuticals in the Aquatic Environment: A Comparative Screening Study of Their Occurrence, Formation of Phototransformation Products and Their in Vitro Toxicity

Data allowing for a complete environmental risk assessment of pharmaceuticals and their photoderatives in the environment are still scarce. In the present study, in vitro toxicity and both bio- and photopersistence of various pharmaceuticals (aciclovir, allopurinol, cetirizine, cimetidine, fluconazole, hydrochlorothiazide, lisinopril, phenytoin, primidone, ranitidine, sotalol, sulpiride, tramadol and valsartane) as well as their phototransformation products were evaluated in order to fill data gaps and to help prioritise them for further testing. Twelve out of the fourteen compounds investigated were found to be neither readily nor inherently biodegradable in the Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development-biodegradability tests. The study further demonstrates that the photo-induced transformation of the pharmaceuticals was faster upon irradiation with a Hg lamp (UV light) than with a Xe lamp emitting a spectrum that mimics sunlight. Comparing the non-irradiated with the respective irradiated solutions, a higher acute and chronic toxicity against bacteria was found for the irradiated solutions of seven compounds (cetirizine, cimetidine, hydrochlorothiazide, ranitidine, sulpiride, tramadol and valsartane). No cyto- and genotoxic effects were found in human cervical (HeLa) and liver (Hep-G2) cells for any of the investigated compounds or their phototransformation products. This comparative study documents that phototransformation products can arise as a result of UV treatment of wastewater containing these pharmaceuticals. It further demonstrates that some phototransformation products may have a higher environmental risk potential than the respective parent compounds because some phototransformation products exhibited a higher bacterial toxicity

Nutzen und Grenzen von Hausstaubuntersuchungen in Innenräumen

House dust, the dust that sediments on the floor in buildings, is a significant marker for certain indoor pollutants. Among other things, it accumulates semi volatile organic compounds such as biocides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and plasticizers. In addition, mites, pollen and other microbial contaminants are found in house dust. The complexity of house dust in terms of its composition is also a reason why there is no uniform measurement technology and why it is so difficult to assess the result. This begins with the question of sieving and separating coarse-grained components, with the determination of the age of the dust before the analysis and ends with evaluation of the ingredients after the analysis. This article provides an up-to-date review of the general significance of house dust examinations. The authors show that the quantitative determination of chemical substances in house dust can be very useful to detect certain substances in the indoor environment and to assess their concentration according to statistical criteria. However, it is equally clearly stated that a health assessment based on house dust and its ingredients is not possible with regard to indoor related exposure