Kentucky State University

The Occurrence of Target Pharmaceuticals in Watersheds

Institution

Kentucky State University

Abstract

As medicinal technology has advanced in the treatment of newfound facets of diseases, many pharmaceuticals have become more advanced in targeting the specificity of such disorders. However, it has come to national even global attention that these advanced pharmaceuticals, such as the antibiotic family fluoroquinolones and the hormone estradiol (estrogen), have found a way into the water systems. An objective of this study was to determine the physical and chemical quality of water samples from various watersheds spanning several states in the South Eastern region of the United States, including but not limited to Kentucky, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Alabama. By analyzing the occurrence of these pharmaceuticals in watersheds, we found levels of estradiol to fluctuate by watershed within the respective state. The average value found for detectable estradiol was 4.74 ppt with a presence as high as 110 ppt. The levels of the fluoroquinolones were majorly undetectable across the states; however, the average value of detectable fluoroquinolones was 0.035 ppb with a presence as high as 0.68 ppb. This data has been investigated to examine the potential relationship between these pharmaceuticals and relative statistical data, such as demographics, income, and factors related to human health. Should a correlation be found between the presence of the targeted pharmaceuticals and statistics of interest, public awareness could be raised with the potential to lead to more progressive movements in the manufacturing and management of these pharmaceuticals?

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The Occurrence of Target Pharmaceuticals in Watersheds

As medicinal technology has advanced in the treatment of newfound facets of diseases, many pharmaceuticals have become more advanced in targeting the specificity of such disorders. However, it has come to national even global attention that these advanced pharmaceuticals, such as the antibiotic family fluoroquinolones and the hormone estradiol (estrogen), have found a way into the water systems. An objective of this study was to determine the physical and chemical quality of water samples from various watersheds spanning several states in the South Eastern region of the United States, including but not limited to Kentucky, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Alabama. By analyzing the occurrence of these pharmaceuticals in watersheds, we found levels of estradiol to fluctuate by watershed within the respective state. The average value found for detectable estradiol was 4.74 ppt with a presence as high as 110 ppt. The levels of the fluoroquinolones were majorly undetectable across the states; however, the average value of detectable fluoroquinolones was 0.035 ppb with a presence as high as 0.68 ppb. This data has been investigated to examine the potential relationship between these pharmaceuticals and relative statistical data, such as demographics, income, and factors related to human health. Should a correlation be found between the presence of the targeted pharmaceuticals and statistics of interest, public awareness could be raised with the potential to lead to more progressive movements in the manufacturing and management of these pharmaceuticals?