Environmental monitoring and risk assessments have shown the sewage treatment
works as one of the potential routes through which the levels of consumption by a
local population can be estimated. Studies revealed a plethora of illicit drugs and
their common classes include cocaine, opioid, cannabinoid, amphetamine, lysergic
diethylamide and hallucinogen (Baker and Kasprzyk-Hordern 2011; Harman et al.
2011; Karolak et al. 2010).
The biodegradability and non-biodegradability or resistance to degradation has
increased the environmental risk factors of the ecosystem due to the hydrophobicity/
lipophobicity properties of these drugs. In Table 9.1, the myriads of chemicals are
shown coupled with the menace of use and abuse of illicit drugs having necessitated
the establishment of many international agencies saddled with the responsibilities to
monitor the production, transport, unlawful possession and usage of the ‘controlled’
substances. The substances considered risky for human health and social well-being
of the society have different legislation in many countries with the hope to curb the
menace, but the concerted efforts have not been fully achieved for their purpose.
Table 9.1 Contaminants in wastewaters
Pollutants
Sources/usages
Analytes
Acrylamide
monomer
Coagulants
Polyacrylamide
Alkylphenols
Detergents, surfactants
4-Alkylphenol; polyethoxylates;
4-nonylphenol;
monoethoxylates
Chlorophenols and
chlorophenoxy
acids
Herbicides
4-Chlorophenol, 2-chlorophenol
Lipids
Petroleum hydrocarbon
Phosphatidylserine, Phosphatidylethanolamine,
Phosphatidylcholine
Mineral oils
Engine oils, paints
Paraffin, alkylbenzene
cycloparaffin
Nitrosamines and
nitroaromatics
Control nematodes
Dimethylnitrosamine
Organochlorine
pesticides
Agricultural control of pests, transformer fluids, plasticizers and artificial
rubbers
Aldrin, endrin, dieldrin
Organophosphorus
compounds
Pesticides
Residues
Organotin
compounds
Stabilizers in biocides, foams
Tributyltin oxide
Phthalates esters
Plasticizers
Bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate
Polychlorinated
dibenzodioxins
Pulp bleaching
Congener group
Polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbons
Pyrolysis of organic materials
Naphthalenes
Surfactants and
related residues
Detergents
Linear alkylbenzene
Chlorobenzenes
Paint removers
Chlorobenzenes
280
A. O. Mustapha
works as one of the potential routes through which the levels of consumption by a
local population can be estimated. Studies revealed a plethora of illicit drugs and
their common classes include cocaine, opioid, cannabinoid, amphetamine, lysergic
diethylamide and hallucinogen (Baker and Kasprzyk-Hordern 2011; Harman et al.
2011; Karolak et al. 2010).
The biodegradability and non-biodegradability or resistance to degradation has
increased the environmental risk factors of the ecosystem due to the hydrophobicity/
lipophobicity properties of these drugs. In Table 9.1, the myriads of chemicals are
shown coupled with the menace of use and abuse of illicit drugs having necessitated
the establishment of many international agencies saddled with the responsibilities to
monitor the production, transport, unlawful possession and usage of the ‘controlled’
substances. The substances considered risky for human health and social well-being
of the society have different legislation in many countries with the hope to curb the
menace, but the concerted efforts have not been fully achieved for their purpose.
Table 9.1 Contaminants in wastewaters
Pollutants
Sources/usages
Analytes
Acrylamide
monomer
Coagulants
Polyacrylamide
Alkylphenols
Detergents, surfactants
4-Alkylphenol; polyethoxylates;
4-nonylphenol;
monoethoxylates
Chlorophenols and
chlorophenoxy
acids
Herbicides
4-Chlorophenol, 2-chlorophenol
Lipids
Petroleum hydrocarbon
Phosphatidylserine, Phosphatidylethanolamine,
Phosphatidylcholine
Mineral oils
Engine oils, paints
Paraffin, alkylbenzene
cycloparaffin
Nitrosamines and
nitroaromatics
Control nematodes
Dimethylnitrosamine
Organochlorine
pesticides
Agricultural control of pests, transformer fluids, plasticizers and artificial
rubbers
Aldrin, endrin, dieldrin
Organophosphorus
compounds
Pesticides
Residues
Organotin
compounds
Stabilizers in biocides, foams
Tributyltin oxide
Phthalates esters
Plasticizers
Bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate
Polychlorinated
dibenzodioxins
Pulp bleaching
Congener group
Polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbons
Pyrolysis of organic materials
Naphthalenes
Surfactants and
related residues
Detergents
Linear alkylbenzene
Chlorobenzenes
Paint removers
Chlorobenzenes
280
A. O. Mustapha