| This document reports a survey of the aquatic contamination by cosmetics and medicinal products for human and veterinary uses. The contamination of the continental, estuary and coastal waters by these substances gives rise to questions on environmental risk assessment and management. Among the pharmaceutical classes involved, substances such as anti-inflammatory drugs, steroid hormones, antibiotics and hypolipemiants are of particular concern. Present regulations do not take into account the medical effluents in the environment. A significant part of these substances is not destroyed in water treatment plants whereas veterinary substances are directly spread in the environment. Some molecules occur in particularly high concentrations as shown for... |
