Pharmaceutical pollution and eco-toxicity ― an ‘emerging’ ecological threat ― Jason Loh and Jachintha Joyce

JANUARY 11 ― Whilst not as well-publicised as the other pollutants, pharmaceutical or drug pollution are rapidly becoming a policy concern for their degrading and toxifying impact on the environment, particularly via water sources, especially freshwater , as “aquatic micropollutants”.

But the tide is shifting and the “crustal displacement” in the policy discourse is that there’s been growing awareness and consciousness regarding the ecological impact of pharmaceutical and what’s known as active pharmaceutical ingredients’ disposal, discharge and release over the years now – due to the global reconnaissance and findings precipitated by the off-shoring and outsourcing and relocation of the pharmaceutical industries’ production networks to the so-called “Third World” countries.

Besides medical and drug products, personal care products ― such as toothpastes and shampoos ― are counterpart elements that contribute to pharmaceutical pollution. Endocrine systems release hormones into the bloodstreams of humans and animals, which is critical in controlling the mood, physical growth and development, energy level, reproductive capacity, etc.

In turn, these pharmaceuticals such as carbamazepine or toxic epidermal necrolysis/TEN), metformin and caffeine [as the three most frequently detected APIs]”.• there’re strong correlations between the levels of socioeconomic inequality of a country and higher pollution of pharmaceuticals in the rivers;

For example, “the highest mean cumulative concentration was observed in Lahore, Pakistan at 70.8 µg/L, with one sampling site reaching a maximum cumulative concentration of 189 µg/L ... This was followed by La Paz, Bolivia and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia . The most polluted sampling site was located in the Rio Seke and had a cumulative API concentration of 297 µg/L ...

Currently, the core legislation on the environment in Malaysia is the Environmental Quality Act . There are no laws that specifically target pharmaceutical pollution as a discrete category in its own right.Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah, Perlis, Pahang, Sabah and Sarawak are the highest users of groundwater as a source of drinking water. But the federal government has been keen to tap into groundwater as a viable alternative source for the nation as a whole .

Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Try out this old fashioned curry mee at PJ New Town's Restaurant Feng SengPETALING JAYA, Jan 11 — If you're looking for a milder old-fashioned curry mee, try this stall at PJ New Town. It's operated by Madam Loh who once ran a curry mee...
Source: malaymail - 🏆 1. / 86 Read more »

Booze-free night? Running a sober restaurant in beer-crazy GermanyIn a remote area of Germany, the drinks on offer in a country inn are all alcohol-free – even the beers on tap. And people are embracing the idea, says the owner, who sees the restaurant as part of an emerging trend in the country.
Source: staronline - 🏆 4. / 75 Read more »