A study led by the University of Exeter warns that pharmaceutical pollution in rivers and soils in the UK has become a serious threat to aquatic ecosystems and public health. Drug residues, hormones, and antibiotics persist in the environment, affecting both wildlife and nearby human populations.
The report indicates that the current model of drug production, consumption, and disposal is unsustainable and requires profound transformations to reduce its environmental impact.
How drugs enter the environment
After use, drugs enter in large quantities into wastewater and end up in rivers and soils. This phenomenon is intensified by:
- The global increase in drug demand, driven by an aging population.
- The prevalence of chronic diseases, which increases the sustained consumption of medical treatments.
- Inadequate disposal practices: up to 90% of consumed drugs are transferred unchanged to the sewage system, and many leftovers are directly discarded in toilets or sinks.
Only 27% of people return leftover drugs to pharmacies, as recommended by authorities.
Impact on biodiversity
An international consortium of 48 experts confirmed the presence of pharmaceutical residues in much of the UK’s rivers, even in areas of high biodiversity. Among the documented effects:
- Feminization of male fish by estrogens derived from contraceptives, affecting their reproductive capacity.
- Behavioral alterations in fish exposed to antidepressants, adopting riskier behaviors and becoming vulnerable to predators.
- Interference in the endocrine systems of fish and amphibians, with consequences on reproduction, feeding, and migration.
The persistence of these residues threatens the stability of food chains and the biodiversity of river habitats.
Risks to public health
The University of Exeter warns that drugs are present in:
- Human drinking water.
- Agricultural soils.
- Wild animals.
Prolonged exposure to low levels of drugs can contribute to:
- Antimicrobial resistance.
- Allergies.
- Hormonal alterations.
Wastewater treatment plants show variable effectiveness, allowing significant amounts of pharmaceutical substances to reach rivers or be incorporated into lands used as fertilizers.
Lack of regulation and monitoring
Currently, the UK’s environmental regulation does not require systematic monitoring in surface waters or resources intended for bathing or human consumption.
This lack of monitoring complicates problem management and delays the implementation of effective solutions.
Action proposals
The scientific team identified 37 areas of intervention to form a comprehensive national strategy. Among them:
- Creation of the Center for Pharmaceutical Pollution Prevention, responsible for coordinating efforts between academia, industry, and policymakers.
- Implementation of a systemic approach that integrates public health and environmental protection.
- Promotion of sustainable practices in drug management, from production to disposal.
Pharmaceutical pollution in UK rivers reflects a major environmental and health challenge. The roadmap proposed by the University of Exeter aims to protect wildlife and move towards a health system more responsible with the environment. Without coordinated action and stricter regulations, pharmaceutical residues will continue to compromise both biodiversity and human health.
