Overview
Hot Spot Pollutants describes how pharmaceuticals and/or endocrine active compounds gain entry into the aquatic ecosystem, effects on specific organisms and the potential risk involved for the whole ecosystem. In addition it presents the latest views and developments regarding legal requirements for assessing the environmental risk of pharmaceuticals. This books includes the views of academic, industry and government scientists, and thus aims for a balanced presentation of all standpoints.
The book consists of papers that appeared previously in the journal Toxicology Letters in 2002 and 2003, and have been collected in this single volume to make them accessible to a broader audience. Authors were asked to update their contributions where necessary. See also Toxicology Letters volume 131, issues 1 and 2 (2002), and volume 142 issue 3 (2003).
• State-of-the-art information of pharmaceuticals in the environment
• Leading Academic, industry and government contributors
• Provides the views of the experts in the field
• Offers a thorough basis to attain a good overview including all facets of the field
Hot Spot Pollutants describes how pharmaceuticals and/or endocrine active compounds gain entry into the aquatic ecosystem, effects on specific organisms and the potential risk involved for the whole ecosystem. In addition it presents the latest views and developments regarding legal requirements for assessing the environmental risk of pharmaceuticals. This books includes the views of academic, industry and government scientists, and thus aims for a balanced presentation of all standpoints.
The book consists of papers that appeared previously in the journal Toxicology Letters in 2002 and 2003, and have been collected in this single volume to make them accessible to a broader audience. Authors were asked to update their contributions where necessary. See also Toxicology Letters volume 131, issues 1 and 2 (2002), and volume 142 issue 3 (2003). State-of-the-art information of pharmaceuticals in the environment
Synopsis
Pharmaceuticals (e.g. anti-depressants, NSAIDS, hypolipidaemics), UV-blocking agents (sunscreen lotions) and fragrances have increasingly become the focus of attention of government agencies and academic researchers throughout the world due to their appearance in surface waters. Not surprisingly, these compounds primarily gain entry into the environment through waste-water treatment plants but also through direct contact, as is the case for UV-blocking agents. In view of the fact that especially pharmaceuticals have a highly specific mode of action, the question arises whether the intended and known beneficial action in humans could potentially result in an adverse activity in surface water organisms and ecosystems. This book describes how pharmaceuticals and/or endocrine active compounds gain entry into the aquatic ecosystem qualitatively and quantitatively, provides insight on the effects of some compounds on specific organisms, and discusses the potential risk(s) involved for the whole ecosystem. In addition this book presents the latest views and developments regarding legal requirements for assessing the environmental risk of pharmaceuticals. The latter testing and legal proposals and ramifications are discussed in detail and new concepts for an improved and more rapid risk assessment are presented. As this books includes the views of academic, industry and government scientists, it provides for a balanced presentation of all standpoints.