Water Quality: More Than Medicine Residues Thought
October 17th 2011 -
Plasticizers, drug residues, plant protection product – Water pollutants are a bigger problem than previously thought. The European team researchers told that has studied the water quality of four major European rivers.
The focus of the study was on 500 organic substances that were discovered during the analysis of water in the catchments of the rivers Elbe, Danube, Scheldt and Llobregat. 38 percent of the pollutants were therefore present in concentrations at which effects on organisms can not be excluded.
Most frequently, the scientists found the plasticizers known as a bisphenol. These substances can impair fertility. Also, the drugs diclofenac and ibuprofen, which are mainly used in painkillers, appeared very frequently. In addition, many pesticides, some of which are no longer approved for use, were included in the water samples.
The result clearly shows that the contamination with organic chemicals is a problem throughout Europe, concludes the researcher.
Tags: bisphenol, diclofenac, drug residues, ibuprofen, plasticizers, water quality
Leave a comment!
You must be logged in to post a comment.
