articleEnvironmental Science & TechnologyNov 25, 2005Closed access

Removal of Pharmaceuticals in Sewage Treatment Plants in Italy

University of Insubria · Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research

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Abstract

A listing of “priority pharmaceuticals” for human use in Italy resulted in the selection of 26 pharmaceuticals, belonging to 11 therapeutic classes. They were analyzed by liquid chromatography−tandem mass spectrometry, their occurrence was assessed in six sewage treatment plants (STPs), and the loads and the removal rates (RR) were studied. Total loads ranged from 1.5 to 4.5 g/day/1000 inhabitants in influents and 1.0 and 3.0 g/day/1000 inhabitants in effluents. Total RR in STPs were mostly lower than 40%. Pharmaceuticals could be divided into three groups according to their behavior in STPs: one group with RR higher in summer than in winter, one group with RR similar in summer and winter, and a last group not…

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