Pharmaceuticals in the Aquatic Environment Impact on Aquatic Ecosystem and Humans: A Review

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Pharmaceuticals are long-lasting biological compounds, extensively used for aging people and treating chronic diseases; longevity has become an emerging pollutant for humans, aquatic ecosystems, and wildlife. Pharmaceuticals have been reported in marine, terrestrial, fresh, and surface waters as well as in aquatic fauna and flora. These compounds enter the water bodies via human and animal waste, wastewater, hospital effluent, and leaching from landfills. These pollutants in water not only impact the behavior, reproduction, neurotoxicity, and cytotoxicity of aquatic animals but also reduce the oxygen content of water and light. Due to the presence of pharmaceutical residues in water bodies in developing countries, the abundance and species richness of fish have decreased by 35-47%. Pharmaceutical-contaminated wastewater is used for the irrigation of agricultural fields which results in the accumulation of these pollutants in vegetables and fruits. When humans uptake these compounds via food and drinking water adversely affects human health. They may cause breast or prostate cancer, infertility, abnormal childhood development, diabetes, early puberty; immune and autoimmune system; causes heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder besides asthma. The presence of antibiotic residues in small amounts causes the development of multi-antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This review aims to report the amount of commonly used pharmaceuticals in wastewater, hospital effluent, surface water, and drinking water and their impact on aquatic flora and fauna and humans to realize the potential impact of these pollutants on the environment.