Ensaios ecotoxicológicos como ferramenta para avaliação de efluentes contaminados com fármacos: uma revisão

Abstract

A lot of different classes of pharmaceutical drugs are consumed annually worldwide. They include anti-inflammatory, antipyretics, analgesics, lipid regulators, antibiotics, antidepressants, chemotherapy agents, contraceptives and more. These chemicals, once excreted by residences, hospitals and industries, both in its original form and as metabolites, very often remain stable after conventional or even advanced treatments. Aquatic ecotoxicology is the science which has emerged to help in the fight against water bodies contaminated with toxic compounds such as drugs. Its analysis tools are capable of predicting the toxicity of chemicals, signaling the ecotoxicological potential and its mechanisms of action in living organisms. The aim of this study is to develop a literature review about ecotoxicological testing and its use as an instrument to evaluate drug contaminated wastewater. Regarding to the literature basis, it was addressed to the following indexes: Google Scholar, SciELO (Scientific Electronic Library Online), Web of Science, Web of Knowledge and mainly CAPES Periodicals Portal. By this approach, it was performed the characterization of drug contaminated wastewater, as well as the important ecotoxicological consequences of such pollution, followed by the discussion of remediation methods and their limits. In this sense, the toxicity tests acute and chronic are of great significance. These widely used tests take into account the synergism or antagonism involving chemicals, measuring up their effects in a range of ecosystems. Particularly in Brazil, the guidelines of these analyses are given by the decree Resolução CONAMA 357/05 and the state of Minas Gerais follows the state decree COPAM/CERH-MG 01/08. In addition, ABNT rules standardize these tests in order to facilitate its reproduction throughout the country. The results of the study point to the relevance of monitoring the drug contamination of water bodies using the ecotoxicological tests.