A Review on Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products Residues in the Aquatic Environment and Possibilities for Their Remediation

Urszula Wydro (), Elżbieta Wołejko, Linda Luarasi, Klementina Puto, Živilė Tarasevičienė and Agata Jabłońska-Trypuć
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Urszula Wydro: Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Environmental Sciences, Bialystok University of Technology, Wiejska 45E Street, 15-351 Białystok, Poland
Elżbieta Wołejko: Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Environmental Sciences, Bialystok University of Technology, Wiejska 45E Street, 15-351 Białystok, Poland
Linda Luarasi: Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tirana, 1019 Tirana, Albania
Klementina Puto: Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tirana, 1019 Tirana, Albania
Živilė Tarasevičienė: Department of Plant Biology and Food Sciences, Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy, Donelaičio Str. 58, 44248 Kaunas, Lithuania
Agata Jabłońska-Trypuć: Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Environmental Sciences, Bialystok University of Technology, Wiejska 45E Street, 15-351 Białystok, Poland

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-40

Abstract: Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCPs) are pollutants known as organic micropollutants. PPCPs belong to a group of compounds with proven biological activity used in medicine, veterinary medicine and to maintain hygiene in daily life. Their presence in the environment, even in trace concentrations, can have negative effects on living organisms, including humans. Especially relevant are the residues of pharmaceuticals such as hormonal drugs and antibiotics. PPCPs’ presence in the environment is caused by the improper production, usage and disposal of medicines. PPCPs and their residues may be introduced into the various parts of the environment such as wastewater, water and soil. Therefore, wastewater containing PPCPs, their residues and active metabolites firstly goes to a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). However, some of these compounds may also be present in sewage sludge. This article reviews the methods and technologies used in the remediation of water and wastewater containing PPCPs residues. Among them, physical, chemical and biological methods, as well as a compilation of various techniques, can be identified. Nowadays, in a time of energy crisis, it is important to emphasize that the applied methods of wastewater and water treatment are not only effective, but also have been characterized by low energy consumption or allow for the generation of energy that could be used for the needs of the wastewater treatment plant.

Keywords: PPCPs residues; water; wastewater; AOPs; green technology (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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