Hey everyone!
In the last 2 posts, I discussed about the types of water pollution as well as mentioned how sea turtles are affected by our garbage that gets washed out to sea. While I only mentioned about the impacts of macroscopic pollution, I was looking into the impacts of chemicals on other marine organisms. That was when I realised that it might be wise to add in a 7th category of water pollution to my previous post.
A study by J. Ellis from the Urban Pollution Research Centre of Middlesex University has shown that pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) are rapidly increasing in urban receiving waters (Ellis, 2006). With an increase in urbanization, the presence of PPCPs is increasing and is quite widespread. PPCPs is a diverse group of organic products such as lotions, medication, hormones etc. This is because advanced treatment technologies are required to remove PPCPs (Yang et al., 2017).
While studies are still ongoing with regards to the health effects of PPCPs, initial research has shown than many act as hormone disrupters by interfering with the natural hormones in marine animals (Brausch and Rand, 2011). While there is still insufficient research to show that PPCPs have an effect on us humans, it has been found that PPCPs are being ingested and are accumulating in our bodies. What is even more worrying is that PPCPs can be found in human milk which implies possible impacts to infants (Liu and Wong, 2013)!
It may very well be possible that the pharmaceuticals and personal care products that we use to help us and keep us healthy are actually sneaking into our bodies through our water systems. While we still do not know the full extent to which PPCPs can affect us, it would indeed be appropriate to start paying attention to this new and emerging contaminant!
Reference:
Brausch, J. and Rand, G., 2011. A review of personal care products in the aquatic environment: Environmental concentrations and toxicity. Chemosphere, 82(11), pp.1518-1532.
Ellis, J., 2006. Pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs) in urban receiving waters. Environmental Pollution, 144(1), pp.184-189.
Liu, J. and Wong, M., 2013. Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs): A review on environmental contamination in China. Environment International, 59, pp.208-224.
Yang, Y., Ok, Y., Kim, K., Kwon, E. and Tsang, Y., 2017. Occurrences and removal of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in drinking water and water/sewage treatment plants: A review. Science of The Total Environment, 596-597, pp.303-320.
