Contamination des milieux aquatiques par les substances pharmaceutiques et cosmétiques - Etat des lieux et perspectives

This document reports a survey of the aquatic contamination by cosmetics and medicinal products for human and veterinary uses. The contamination of the continental, estuary and coastal waters by these substances gives rise to questions on environmental risk assessment and management. Among the pharmaceutical classes involved, substances such as anti-inflammatory drugs, steroid hormones, antibiotics and hypolipemiants are of particular concern. Present regulations do not take into account the medical effluents in the environment. A significant part of these substances is not destroyed in water treatment plants whereas veterinary substances are directly spread in the environment. Some molecules occur in particularly high concentrations as shown for paracetamol, which was detected at concentrations as high as 250 µg/L in sea, near the Marseille (France) sewer exit. To assess accurately the environmental risk, it appears that the data on the ecotoxicity of these substances are not sufficient. The characterization of the dangers due to the environmental exposure requires the development of prioritisation methods for the substances of very high concern (SVHC). Now, there is a consensus among the researchers to assert that the risk presented by steroid hormones, acting as endocrine disruptors in animal species, is one of the highest concerns.