The presence and potential hazards of pharmaceuticals in the environment have received increasing international attention in the academic and popular press, as well as within the regulatory community. The increased focus on potential ecological effects from pharmaceuticals largely began as a result of a growing number of technical papers published from the late 1990s until the present that reported low levels of pharmaceuticals in Wastewater Treatment Plant effluent and surface water and, to a more limited extent, groundwater, drinking water, and sediment.
Environmental concerns about pharmaceuticals have consistently been linked to two factors:
- The bioactive property of pharmaceuticals, which is the basis of their therapeutic (pharmacological) activity.
- The potential for pharmaceuticals to be routinely present, albeit at low concentrations, from ongoing use.
Concerns have been raised about whether the current environmental risk assessment scientific methodology may need to be revised or replaced to evaluate the potential environmental impact of pharmaceuticals appropriately.
The Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) Pharmaceuticals Advisory Group (AG) was established to advance the science and understanding of pharmaceuticals in the environment. It is a formally recognized forum within SETAC and was established by the SETAC World Council (SWC) in October 2005. Membership of the Pharmaceuticals AG is open to all SETAC members, as well as to all professionals interested in the topics addressed by the Pharmaceuticals AG.
We intend to develop this part of the website over the coming months so that it becomes a useful forum for researchers and others interested in pharmaceuticals in the environment. Currently our web pages include:
- The scope, purpose and operating guidelines of the Pharmaceuticals AG
- Membership of the Pharmaceuticals AG Steering Committee
- A Powerpoint presentation on the background and purpose of the Pharmaceuticals AG from the 2005 SETAC North America Annual Conference.
