Ecotoxicological hazard and risk assessment of pharmaceuticals in the aquatic environment

• Research unit: INNOSUISSE
• Project number: 7114.2;8 LSPP-LS

Short description (English)

Ecotoxicological hazard and risk assessment of pharmaceuticals in the aquatic environment

Abstract (English)

Pharmaceuticals in the aquatic environment are of increasing concern. Until recently, they were very rarely evaluated for their ecotoxicological impact. In most cases their potential adverse effects are largely unknown. However, a guidance note released by the EU Pharmaceutical Regulator (EMEA) foresees the Environmental Risk Assessment of Medicinal Products for Human use in the near future. The newly registered pharmaceuticals are evaluated according to this draft scheme. In this project we aim at an evaluation of ecotoxicological effects of commonly used pharmaceuticals as single compounds and mixtures in various in vitro and in vivo systems for use in risk assessment. Mechanism-based systems and novel biochemical toxicity markers are employed for elucidation of target toxicity. Special emphasis is placed on developing new concepts of mixture toxicity (interactions of pharmaceuticals) and new toxicity markers. Comparison of in vitro and in vivo effects in fish and between species of ferent ecology will reveal the ecotoxicological potential of pharmaceuticals. These systems and concepts will be applied in environmental hazard and risk assessment.