pharmaceutical products in wastewater were 20,783 ng/L, 6167 ng/L, and
13,159 ng/L, respectively [4].
The concern about finding NSAIDs in the environment lies in the fact that these
pharmaceutical products are designed to have biological activity at low doses, so
they could cause undesirable effects on exposed organisms [5].
2 Emerging Pollutants
In recent decades, the consequences of the development of human activity in
multiple activities (industry, transport, agriculture, urbanization) have become evident around the world. These activities have given rise to the contamination of
different ecosystems with micropollutants [6].
The term “emerging pollutants” refers to components found in low concentrations
in the environment, for which no regulations have currently been established
[7]. Many of these compounds are pharmaceutical or personal care products,
which enter the environment by excretion in human and animal urine and feces, as
well as by an inadequate disposition [8]. The main classes of emerging pollutants are
pesticides, disinfection products, industrial chemicals, and pharmaceuticals such as
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [9].
The abundance of emerging pollutants in wastewater, surface water, and groundwater is a problem that is attracting the attention of scientists due to its toxicity in
aquatic organisms and as an impact on humans [10].
In the case of pharmaceutical products, consumption has been increasing; different compounds have been identified around the world. A large number of these
microcontaminants come from hospitals and are the result of pharmacological
treatments, clinical laboratory techniques, and research activities, as well as the
excretion of the non-metabolized active substance [11].
The detection, identification, and quantification of emerging pollutants and their
transformation products in various ecosystems are essential to know about their
frequency and fate [9].
The degradation and effective removal of these types of pollutants are a matter of
concern, mainly for biotechnologists and environmental scientists, who must propose viable and effective strategies for their elimination [12].
3 NSAIDs in Aquatic Ecosystems
The accumulation of emerging pollutants, such as active pharmaceutical ingredients
and their metabolites in the aquatic environment, has recently become a serious
problem. NSAIDs are partially removed during wastewater treatment; they have
been detected in groundwater, surface water, and wastewater effluents, as well as in
Biological Technologies Used for the Removal of Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory. . .
305
13,159 ng/L, respectively [4].
The concern about finding NSAIDs in the environment lies in the fact that these
pharmaceutical products are designed to have biological activity at low doses, so
they could cause undesirable effects on exposed organisms [5].
2 Emerging Pollutants
In recent decades, the consequences of the development of human activity in
multiple activities (industry, transport, agriculture, urbanization) have become evident around the world. These activities have given rise to the contamination of
different ecosystems with micropollutants [6].
The term “emerging pollutants” refers to components found in low concentrations
in the environment, for which no regulations have currently been established
[7]. Many of these compounds are pharmaceutical or personal care products,
which enter the environment by excretion in human and animal urine and feces, as
well as by an inadequate disposition [8]. The main classes of emerging pollutants are
pesticides, disinfection products, industrial chemicals, and pharmaceuticals such as
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [9].
The abundance of emerging pollutants in wastewater, surface water, and groundwater is a problem that is attracting the attention of scientists due to its toxicity in
aquatic organisms and as an impact on humans [10].
In the case of pharmaceutical products, consumption has been increasing; different compounds have been identified around the world. A large number of these
microcontaminants come from hospitals and are the result of pharmacological
treatments, clinical laboratory techniques, and research activities, as well as the
excretion of the non-metabolized active substance [11].
The detection, identification, and quantification of emerging pollutants and their
transformation products in various ecosystems are essential to know about their
frequency and fate [9].
The degradation and effective removal of these types of pollutants are a matter of
concern, mainly for biotechnologists and environmental scientists, who must propose viable and effective strategies for their elimination [12].
3 NSAIDs in Aquatic Ecosystems
The accumulation of emerging pollutants, such as active pharmaceutical ingredients
and their metabolites in the aquatic environment, has recently become a serious
problem. NSAIDs are partially removed during wastewater treatment; they have
been detected in groundwater, surface water, and wastewater effluents, as well as in
Biological Technologies Used for the Removal of Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory. . .
305