A methodology for estimating concentrations of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in wastewater treatment plants and in freshwaters

Abstract

Despite an increasing number of studies on pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), data on their concentrations in the environment are still scant. This is due to many factors, including great variability in usage and physicochemical properties of these compounds, which contribute to their widespread presence and complex behaviour, particularly in the aquatic environment. The main pathway for their discharge into the waterways is through wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), which are inefficient in removing many of PPCP compounds. Therefore, aiming to contribute to a better understanding of the role that WWTPs play in the presence of PPCPs in the environment, this paper proposes a new method for estimating the expected concentrations of these compounds in WWTP influents, effluents and sludge, as well as their expected discharge and related concentrations in freshwaters. The proposed method can assist with future eco-toxicological and environmental risk assessments as well as the development of policies and regulation related to PPCP compounds.

Keywords: Freshwater pollution; Pharmaceutical and personal care products; Predicted environmental concentration; Sewage sludge; Wastewater treatment.