Abstract

Aim. To evaluate the input of drug residues originating from human drug consumption to the aquatic environment of Estonia and to assess the environmental risk of selected active compounds (ACs).

Methods. Medicine consumption in mass units was calculated on the basis of the sale of pharmaceuticals in 2008. Taking into consideration the volume of sales and previous studies, 14 ACs were selected for risk assessment according to three different models. The predicted environmental concentration (PEC) for each AC was calculated and divided by the predicted non-effect concentration. Additionally, hazardous properties like persistence, bioaccumulativeness and toxicity were taken into consideration.

Results. The calculated values of amoxicillin (PEC = 0.26–8.19 μg/l), diclofenac (PEC = 0.11–.28 μg/l), ciprofloxacin (PEC = 73–65 ng/l), and ethinyl estradiol (PEC =0.2–.35 ng/l) indicate high level of risk to the local aquatic environment.

Conclusion. With respect to the precautionary principle, to mitigate the risk, it would be reasonable to start with the notification and classification of medicines according to the environmental impact of AC.