Linking environmental exposure and effects of pharmaceuticals on aquatic biota: state of knowledge in Latin America

Abstract

The presence of pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs) in the environment has been confirmed in different parts of the world, but mainly in North America and Europe. In Latin America, progress on this issue has not been as advanced, so we decided to compile the available information. The aim was to relate the environmental exposure of PhACs detected in fresh surface waters of Latin America, their bioaccumulation and lethal or sublethal effects. Most of the reported concentrations are in the same order of magnitude (113 PhACs in fresh surface water: 0.04 ng/L-227,000 ng/L, 57 PhACs in aquatic biota: 0.02-652 ng/g d.w.) as those previously reported worldwide. The groups with the highest concentrations were analgesics/anti-inflammatories in water and antibiotics in biofilm. For effects, we found 67 no observed effect concentration (NOEC) values for 37 PhACs, 36 lowest observed effect concentration (LOEC) values for 26 PhACs and 45 lethal concentration (LC50) values for 31 PhACs. The only compound whose concentration in water exceeded the lowest LC50 value was acetaminophen (32,000 ng/L), which is an alarm signal for the need for further monitoring of this PhAC. In addition, acetaminophen, caffeine, carbamazepine, propranolol, 17α-ethinylestradiol and 17β-estradiol were the only PhACs with NOEC and LOEC values below the concentration in water. At the regional level, the information available in Latin America is scarce and becomes even scarcer when bioaccumulation in aquatic biota is considered. At the global level, little ecotoxicological information is available. This review identifies knowledge gaps and serves as a guide and reference for further decision-making.