lääkeainejäämien

Lääkeainejäämät, known in English as pharmaceutical residues or drug residues, refer to the presence of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and their metabolites in the environment. These substances enter the environment primarily through human and animal excretion after medication is consumed. Wastewater treatment plants are not designed to completely remove all pharmaceutical compounds, leading to their release into surface waters, groundwater, and soil.

The presence of lääkeainejäämät in the environment is a growing concern due to potential ecological impacts. Aquatic organisms can be exposed to these compounds, which may disrupt endocrine systems, affect behavior, or alter reproductive cycles. While the direct impact on human health from environmental concentrations of lääkeainejäämät is generally considered low, there is ongoing research into potential long-term effects, including the development of antibiotic resistance in bacteria.

Sources of lääkeainejäämät include both human and veterinary medicines. Proper disposal of unused medications, such as through designated collection points, is crucial to minimize their entry into wastewater systems. Research is ongoing to develop more effective methods for removing pharmaceuticals from wastewater and to understand the environmental fate and effects of these compounds. Monitoring programs are in place in many regions to assess the levels of lääkeainejäämät in different environmental compartments.