Medikamentenrückstände

Medikamentenrückstände refers to the presence of pharmaceutical substances and their metabolites in various environmental compartments and living organisms. These residues originate from the use and disposal of medications by humans and animals. Once administered, drugs are not entirely metabolized and excreted portions are released into wastewater systems. Conventional wastewater treatment plants are often not designed to fully remove these complex chemical compounds, leading to their continuous discharge into surface waters, groundwater, and eventually drinking water sources.

The environmental presence of medication residues is a growing concern due to potential adverse effects on ecosystems and human health. Aquatic organisms can be exposed to low concentrations of these substances, which may disrupt endocrine systems, alter behavior, and impact reproductive cycles. While the concentrations typically found in drinking water are very low and generally considered safe by regulatory bodies, long-term exposure to a cocktail of different pharmaceutical residues is a subject of ongoing research and debate.

Sources of medication residues include not only human excretion but also improper disposal of unused or expired medications, agricultural runoff containing veterinary drugs, and pharmaceutical manufacturing effluents. Efforts to mitigate this issue involve improving wastewater treatment technologies, promoting responsible medication use and disposal, and developing greener pharmaceutical alternatives. Monitoring programs are essential to track the prevalence and levels of these residues in the environment and assess potential risks.