Estimation of Beta-Blocker Consumption in the Urban Population Using the Wastewater-Based Epidemiology Approach
Mihail Simion Beldean-Galea1,2, Mihaela-Cătălina Herghelegiu1,2, Ye Yang1
1Faculty of Environmental Science and Engineering, Babeș-Bolyai University, 30 Fântânele Str., RO-400294 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
|May 4, 2026
Summary
Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) estimated beta-blocker consumption in Romania. Metoprolol and atenolol were the most frequently used pharmaceuticals in the studied population.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Chemistry
- Analytical Chemistry
- Public Health
Background:
- Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) offers insights into population-level chemical exposure.
- Monitoring pharmaceutical residues in wastewater aids in understanding drug consumption patterns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and apply methods for analyzing seven beta-blockers in wastewater.
- To estimate the consumption of these beta-blockers in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, using WBE.
Main Methods:
- Solid-phase extraction (SPE) using Strata C18-U cartridges for beta-blocker isolation.
- Liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for precise quantification.
- Calculation of daily mass load per 1000 inhabitants to estimate consumption.
Main Results:
- Metoprolol exhibited the highest consumption (54.85–276.45 mg/day/1000 inh), followed by atenolol (0.03–3.74 mg/day/1000 inh).
- Propranolol (0.04–0.72 mg/day/1000 inh) and betaxolol (0.07–0.38 mg/day/1000 inh) showed moderate usage.
- Nadolol and other beta-blockers were consumed in lower or occasional quantities.
Conclusions:
- Metoprolol is the most widely consumed beta-blocker in the investigated Romanian population.
- WBE is a valuable tool for monitoring pharmaceutical usage and public health trends.
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