Residues of veterinary drugs in the environment

Abstract

Veterinary drugs have been widely used in animal production chain to ensure the health and welfare of animals. Undoubtedly, the use of veterinary drugs in agriculture, especially antimicrobials and antiparasitic drugs, has allowed increasing productivity and enhancing the competitiveness of nationally and internationally Brazilian agribusiness. Generally, the drugs administered to animals are not completely metabolized, and the are excreted via urine and / or faeces. Thus, large quantities of pharmaceuticals, metabolites and / or degradation products are discharged into the environment each year. The residues can accumulate in the soil and in plants, as well as be transported to water bodies. The presence of antimicrobials in the environment may impact terrestrial and aquatic organisms and lead to the development of resistant bacteria. In fact, little is known about the chronic effects of exposure to low concentrations of these residues into the environment. Studies of their presence, dynamics and toxicity in the environment are still scarce for many drugs and most of the studies are limited to the detection of drugs in water. In Brazil, it may be considered that such data for veterinary drugs are nonexistent. The present project aims to assess the occurrence, behavior and ecotoxicological effects of antimicrobial and antiparasitic veterinary drugs in the environment of the State of São Paulo, and establish methods to promote the degradation of these drugs in sewage water treatment, based on advanced oxidation processes. (AU)