Transcript PPCPs and the Environment

PPCPs and the Environment
By Group E
Introduction
• Modern medicine has undoubtedly changed the
human race; pharmaceuticals have extended
our life expectancy and have allowed us to live
virtually pain free lives.
• The changes are, however, not all good; an
increasing amount of research is highlighting the
adverse effects of PPCPs on the environment.
What are PPCPs?
• Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products include a
wide range of medicines (both over-the-counter and
prescription), illicit drugs, and byproducts from everyday
items.
• The substances are referred to as either synthetic or
nonsynthetic (natural) (US Department of Agriculture)
What are PPCPs?
• The most commonly found in
municipal waste (and
potentially most harmful)
include:
-antibiotics
-antidepressants
-birth control pills
-hormone replacement therapy
drugs estrogen and progestin)
-painkillers
-caffeine
-nicotine
-tranquilizers (Breton 2003)
Pathways of PPCPs
• PPCPs are introduced into the environment via:
*wastewaters from residential, industrial, and agricultural
sources
*careless disposal of leftover medicines
*medical waste from hospitals and clinics
*landfills
*sewage treatment plants
*biosolids applied to land
*topically applied personal care products (sunscreens,
perfumes, hairsprays)
*farm chemicals
*cruise ships
*confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs)
(Xia et al, 2005; Bound et al, 1999; EPA Report)
Pathways of PPCPs
• The quantity of PPCPs in the environment is difficult to
calculate because no current monitoring system is in
place, and because these micro particles are difficult to
detect.
• For example, the atrazine found in the Missouri river was
.84 ppb
http://www.epa.gov/esd/chemistry/pharma/images/
forum.pdf
Effects of PPCPs
• PPCPs in the environment are raising concerns of:
-Aquatic species
*feminized male fish, river otters and frogs are being
found in rivers and lakes due to the presence of synthetic estrogen
hormones from birth control pills and HRT.
-Increase of bacteria due to resistance to antibiotics
*antibiotics including penicillin and triclosan, the active
ingredient found in antibacterial soaps, deodorants, and household
cleaners, is being dumped into the water supply and killing natural
bacteria, both good and bad. This may lead to an environment
where bad bacteria can thrive.
(Hirsch et al, 1999)
Effects of PPCPs
-Risks of human health following ingestion of contaminated drinking
water
*Though extensive research on PPCPs’ effects on humans has
not been conducted, some evidence has been found surrounding
the same hormone problem in fish occurring in human males. Males
that live in rural areas that were exposed to certain pesticides as
well as European males exposed to estrogen in the environment
experienced lower sperm counts.
*A rise in the numbers of breast and uterine cancers, early
puberty and birth defects of the genitals have been linked to
environmental exposure to estrogenic compounds.
(McBride et al 2002)
Local Concerns
• The USGS of Columbia, MO
took samples from the Missouri
River in 2001. According to
the report:
“Following a 28-day
deployment in a wetland
complex, consisting of treated
effluent from a municipal
wastewater treatment facility
and water from the Missouri
River, identification of a variety
of compounds was achieved.
The mass spectral data
exhibited highly complex
patterns indicating the
presence of a large numbers of
compounds.”
Source:
http://www.epa.gov/esd/chemistry/
ppcp/trends.htm
Some of the
compounds
included:
atrazine
Caffeine
Ibuprofen
Nicotinic
Vitamin A
Hydroxyat
razine
Acid
ethynylest nonyl
radiol
phenol
Causes
• One reason why PPCPs are
creating such problems is the
lack of public education
concerning disposal of
medication.
• In a study conducted be
Kuspis and Krenzelok, a lack
of information for the public is
causing unsafe disposal
techniques.
returned
to
pharmacy
2%
7%
1%
threw
away/dis po
s ed of in
s ink/toilet
did not
dispose
(Boehringer, 2004)
http://whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/dr
ugfact/disposal.mov
90%
used all
Existing Guidelines
• Currently, only a few guidelines concerning PPCP
disposal exist in a few states.
• California, for example, has prohibited the disposal
of sharps (lancets, syringes used in at-home
treatments) in municipal waste.
• There, however needs to be more done to educate
the public .
Source:
[http://www.schoolhealth.com/shop/pdf/Senate%20Bill%20130
5%20White%20Paper.pdf]
Proposed Guidelines
• Some ideas for programs and amendments include:
*allowing the return of unused medications from
consumers to pharmacies.
*installation of incineration units at all pharmacies to
destroy unwanted/unused medications
*special disposal drums at pharmacies and in
residences
*trial prescriptions to reduce drug waste. If initial
prescription were written for smaller amounts, less drugs
would go unused if the patient decided to discontinue
use.
(Boehringer, 2005)
Conclusion
This is a potentially serious threat that can
be solved with legislation.
We can prevent adverse effects for future
generations