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O impacto ambiental do consumo de medicamentos na qualidade da água: Contributos para o seu estudo na região do Algarve
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Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a relação entre o consumo de medicamentos e a presença de fármacos no ambiente aquático do Algarve, recorrendo a informação sobre padrões de utilização, práticas em contexto familiar e deteção em diferentes matrizes hídricas. A análise do consumo entre 2014 e 2023 revelou padrões semelhantes aos observados a nível nacional e internacional, com aumento do uso de betabloqueadores, antiepiléticos e diuréticos, associado ao envelhecimento populacional e à maior prevalência de doenças crónicas. No grupo dos antidepressivos, observou-se uma mudança relevante nas práticas de prescrição: o citalopram registou uma diminuição progressiva, enquanto a sertralina e o escitalopram apresentaram um crescimento, de acordo com recomendações clínicas recentes. O consumo de ansiolíticos manteve-se estável, embora com um pico em 2020, coincidente com a pandemia de COVID-19. No contexto doméstico, os dados de 2024 evidenciaram uma elevada presença de analgésicos e medicamentos de venda livre, em contraste com o predomínio de fármacos de uso crónico registado em 2014. Destaca-se ainda que cerca de metade da população continua a descartar medicamentos vencidos no lixo comum ou na sanita, constituindo uma fonte direta de poluição ambiental. Na análise das águas, foram detetadas concentrações relevantes de carbamazepina, venlafaxina e irbesartan, confirmando a persistência de compostos resistentes às tecnologias convencionais de tratamento. Concentrações mais elevadas a jusante das ETAR e fenómenos de remoção negativa reforçam a complexidade dos processos de transformação no meio hídrico. Os resultados obtidos evidenciam a importância de integrar políticas de saúde, educação da população e desenvolvimento tecnológico no tratamento de águas, de forma a reduzir o impacto da contaminação farmacêutica e proteger a qualidade dos recursos hídricos.
This study aimed to assess the relationship between pharmaceutical consumption and the presence of pharmaceuticals in the aquatic environment of the Algarve, drawing on information regarding usage patterns, household practices, and detection in different water matrices. The analysis of consumption between 2014 and 2023 revealed patterns like those observed nationally and internationally, with an increase in the use of beta-blockers, antiepileptics, and diuretics, associated with population ageing and a higher prevalence of chronic diseases. Within the antidepressant group, a relevant shift in prescribing practices was observed: citalopram showed a progressive decline, while sertraline and escitalopram increased, in line with recent clinical recommendations. The consumption of anxiolytics remained stable overall, although a peak was noted in 2020, coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic. At the household level, data from 2024 showed a high prevalence of analgesics and over-the-counter medicines, contrasting with the predominance of chronic-use drugs recorded in 2014. Notably, around half of the population continues to dispose of expired medicines in regular waste or toilets, constituting a direct source of environmental pollution. In the water analysis, significant concentrations of carbamazepine, venlafaxine, and irbesartan were detected, confirming the persistence of compounds resistant to conventional treatment technologies. Higher concentrations downstream wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) and the occurrence of negative removal phenomena highlighted the complexity of transformation processes in the aquatic environment. The findings underscore the importance of integrating public health policies, community education, and technological development in water treatment to reduce the impact of pharmaceutical contamination and safeguard the quality of water resources.
This study aimed to assess the relationship between pharmaceutical consumption and the presence of pharmaceuticals in the aquatic environment of the Algarve, drawing on information regarding usage patterns, household practices, and detection in different water matrices. The analysis of consumption between 2014 and 2023 revealed patterns like those observed nationally and internationally, with an increase in the use of beta-blockers, antiepileptics, and diuretics, associated with population ageing and a higher prevalence of chronic diseases. Within the antidepressant group, a relevant shift in prescribing practices was observed: citalopram showed a progressive decline, while sertraline and escitalopram increased, in line with recent clinical recommendations. The consumption of anxiolytics remained stable overall, although a peak was noted in 2020, coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic. At the household level, data from 2024 showed a high prevalence of analgesics and over-the-counter medicines, contrasting with the predominance of chronic-use drugs recorded in 2014. Notably, around half of the population continues to dispose of expired medicines in regular waste or toilets, constituting a direct source of environmental pollution. In the water analysis, significant concentrations of carbamazepine, venlafaxine, and irbesartan were detected, confirming the persistence of compounds resistant to conventional treatment technologies. Higher concentrations downstream wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) and the occurrence of negative removal phenomena highlighted the complexity of transformation processes in the aquatic environment. The findings underscore the importance of integrating public health policies, community education, and technological development in water treatment to reduce the impact of pharmaceutical contamination and safeguard the quality of water resources.
Descrição
Palavras-chave
Fármaco Contaminantes emergente Água superficial Água subterrânea Água residual Risco ambiental