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Medical Household Waste as a Potential Environmental Hazard: An Ecological and Epidemiological Approach

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  • Adriana Benítez-Rico

    (Grupo de Investigación Desarrollo e Innovación en Ingeniería de Procesos y Nuevos Materiales, Vicerrectoría de Investigación, Universidad La Salle México, Mexico City 06140, Mexico)

  • Arizbeth Pérez-Martínez

    (Grupo de Investigación Desarrollo e Innovación en Ciencia y Tecnología Ambiental Aplicada, Vicerrectoría de Investigación, Universidad La Salle México, Mexico City 06140, Mexico)

  • Bryan Isaac Muñóz-López

    (Programa de Maestría en Farmacología Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad La Salle México, Mexico City 06140, Mexico
    Grupo de Investigación Desarrollo e Innovación en Promoción y Educación para la Salud y Alimentación, Vicerrectoría de Investigación, Universidad La Salle México, Mexico City 06140, Mexico)

  • Laura Martino-Roaro

    (Campus Ciudad de México, Centro Universitario Incarnate Word, Mexico City 03100, Mexico)

  • Jorge Adan Alegría-Baños

    (Grupo de Investigación Desarrollo e Innovación en Promoción y Educación para la Salud y Alimentación, Vicerrectoría de Investigación, Universidad La Salle México, Mexico City 06140, Mexico
    Centro Oncológico Médica Sur, Mexico City 14050, Mexico)

  • Arely Vergara-Castañeda

    (Grupo de Investigación Desarrollo e Innovación en Promoción y Educación para la Salud y Alimentación, Vicerrectoría de Investigación, Universidad La Salle México, Mexico City 06140, Mexico)

  • Alejandro Islas-García

    (Grupo de Investigación Desarrollo e Innovación en Ciencia y Tecnología Ambiental Aplicada, Vicerrectoría de Investigación, Universidad La Salle México, Mexico City 06140, Mexico)

Abstract

Nowadays, the contamination caused by emerging pollutants is a global concern due to the lack of scientific evidence to demonstrate the risk or toxicity to humans due to the presence of pharmaceutical residues in the environment. This study aimed to identify and describe the disposal practices of unused and unwanted medications, as well as to analyze and identify the most frequent drugs determined on water bodies adjacent to the biggest urban population in Mexico. A two-phase study with an epidemiological and an ecological assessment was performed. The epidemiological phase was carried out with a descriptive cross-sectional study among citizens from Mexico City and the metropolitan area using an electronic survey applied to 719 subjects aimed to assess practices in which pharmaceutical products are disposed. The ecological phase included a review of scientific reports. The results show that nearly 83.5% of those surveyed use inappropriate practices for disposal medicines, the main ones are through the municipal dump or directly in the drain. The ecological approach was carried out by a systematic literature review of original reports published between 2013 to 2023; information about the class of drugs, active substance, environmental compartments, location, and concentration was extracted and presented. Fifty-one different types of pharmaceutical residues were detected in wastewater in Mexico City in the last decade. The results of this study can contribute to the application of public policies for waste management authorities to mitigate the socio-environmental risks due to the inappropriate disposal of medicines.

Suggested Citation

  • Adriana Benítez-Rico & Arizbeth Pérez-Martínez & Bryan Isaac Muñóz-López & Laura Martino-Roaro & Jorge Adan Alegría-Baños & Arely Vergara-Castañeda & Alejandro Islas-García, 2023. "Medical Household Waste as a Potential Environmental Hazard: An Ecological and Epidemiological Approach," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(7), pages 1-18, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:7:p:5366-:d:1114542
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Monika Hejna & Dominika Kapuścińska & Anna Aksmann, 2022. "Pharmaceuticals in the Aquatic Environment: A Review on Eco-Toxicology and the Remediation Potential of Algae," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-40, June.
    2. Kane, Nancy M., 1997. "Pharmaceutical cost containment and innovation in the United States," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 41(Supplemen), pages 71-89, September.
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