Pharmaceutical compound content of municipal solid waste
Stephen E Musson1, Timothy G Townsend
1Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611-6450, United States. smusson@ufl.edu
Journal of Hazardous Materials
|July 5, 2008
Summary
Pharmaceuticals in landfills are a neglected environmental concern. This study quantifies active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) in municipal solid waste (MSW), finding concentrations up to 8.1 mg/kg, highlighting potential environmental risks.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Waste Management
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry
Background:
- The environmental fate and occurrence of pharmaceuticals within landfills remain understudied.
- Discarded pharmaceuticals in municipal solid waste (MSW) can degrade, adsorb, or leach into the environment.
- Understanding pharmaceutical presence in landfills is crucial for assessing potential ecological impacts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the concentration of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) in MSW.
- To assess the potential environmental release of pharmaceuticals from landfills.
- To investigate the occurrence of APIs in discarded medication containers.
Main Methods:
- Predicted API concentrations using medication usage statistics.
- Directly measured API concentrations through a MSW composition study.
- Collected and analyzed empty medication containers for residual API content.
Main Results:
- Estimated potential API concentrations ranged from 7.4 to 45 mg/kg of MSW.
- Direct measurement revealed a final API concentration of 8.1 mg/kg in MSW.
- 45 empty containers potentially held 33 different APIs.
Conclusions:
- Pharmaceuticals are present in significant concentrations within MSW destined for landfills.
- Direct measurement confirms the presence of APIs, necessitating further investigation into their environmental fate.
- Empty medication containers represent a potential source of API release.
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