Pharmaceuticals and personal care products as emerging micropollutants in Brazilian surface waters: a preliminary snapshot on environmental contamination and risks

Abstract

The present work intended to present a preliminary snapshot on the contamination of Brazilian surface waters by pharmaceuticals and personal care products. Data were collected elsewhere for Measured Environmental Concentrations (MEC) in surface waters and Predicted No-Effect Concentration (PNEC). Prioritization was based on risk assessment, where MEC/PNEC ratios higher than 1.0 indicate a positive risk, values below 0.1 indicate absence of risk and intermediate values, potential risk. Results revealed that hormones, antibiotics drugs and triclosan should be prioritized to subsidize the generation of water quality standards to protect aquatic life.