Anwar Usman

By Harry Lik Hock Lau, Rusydi R. Sofian, Syahirah Nabilah Aedy Aewandy, Nur Diana Bazilah Awang Idris, Nur Aisyah Abdul Munir, Nur Nabaahah Roslan, Aisyah Farhanah Abdul Majid, Anwar Usman and Muhammad Nur

Pharmaceutical active compounds (PhACs) are an increasingly prevalent and growing class of emerging contaminants that are continuously accumulating in waste water in proportion to global population growth. Most PhACs enter the environment through domestic, agricultural, healthcare, and industrial sources, primarily via waste water treatment plants, which act as the main pathways to surface water bodies. PhACs in waste water can undergo complex transformations through abiotic and biotic processes, resulting in numerous derivative compounds. These PhACs are potentially toxic to aquatic organisms, plants, and ecosystems, and contribute to the development of antimicrobial resistance, which poses a significant threat to human health. This chapter provides an overview of the bio-toxicity, health risks, detection methods, and effective removal methods for PhACs in waste water and water systems. It highlights the challenges of detecting trace levels of PhACs using highly sensitive techniques, such as chromatography, spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, electrochemical and optical methods, immunoassays, and microbial biosensors. Furthermore, it discusses promising remediation techniques – such as membrane filtration, ion exchange, adsorption, coagulation–flocculation, reduction, electrochemical methods, advanced oxidation processes, activated sludge, and constructed wetlands – along with their respective advantages and limitations. Finally, the chapter presents future perspectives on developing integrated or hybrid remediation approaches aimed at improving removal and degradation efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and overall economic feasibility. It also emphasizes the need for comprehensive evaluations of the toxicity and risks associated with by-products formed during the treatment of PhACs.

Part of the book: Latest Research in Contaminants of Emerging Concern