The Threat of Pharmaceutical Pollution in Wastewater
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: Environment & Ecology (Water Pollution, Pollutants, Ecotoxicity); General Science (Chemistry).
Mains:
General Studies Paper 3 (Environment & S&T): Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation; Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life. The topic of emerging contaminants like pharmaceutical waste is an important part of the pollution syllabus.
Key Highlights from the News
A new study finds that conventional Wastewater treatment plants are unable to completely remove many types of medicines mixed in water.
Common pain relievers like ibuprofen and antibiotics like sulphamethoxazole are only partially removed.
Medications like the antidepressant fluoxetine are found in high concentrations in the sludge after treatment.
These chemicals pose a significant threat to aquatic ecosystems. They can be harmful to fish, algae, and other aquatic life.
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