Contaminated areas: lixividing of solid waste from the pharmaceutical industry

Abstract

Contaminated areas derive from polluting activities, and are closely related to the proper disposal of waste from these activities, such as the pharmaceutical industry, which has dangerous and influential remnants throughout the biota, including humans. This work aimed to explain about the Brazilian legal norms of environmental protection and destination of medicines, and about the problems caused by exposure and contamination by drugs, particularly antibiotics and endocrine regulators. The problem of waste has led to the creation of several laws, at the federal and state levels, with a view to reducing contamination and protection of environmental assets, in which some of them deal with criminal and administrative sanctions for those who cause damage to the environment, criminalization of pollution, care for areas that have been contaminated at some point, determination of environmental standards and proper disposal of medicines. Even so, the improper disposal of drugs is a fact in Brazil, resulting in contamination of water and soil by leachate, and consequently, waterborne diseases, allergies, photosensitivity, cancer, infertility and cardiovascular diseases in humans, and adverse effects on crustaceans, mollusks, fish, turtles, amphibians and algae. The identification of these contaminants can be done by liquid chromatography and spectrophotometry, and the treatment by microorganisms, advanced oxidation and those used in Treatment Plants, however, conventional treatments may not be sufficient for removal. It is concluded that, despite the existence of these techniques, the most advanced procedures are not applied at the Treatment Plants, and the removal of drug residues is inefficient. In addition, there is a lack of inspection regarding the management of waste in the sector, even with different laws, which corroborates the contamination problem.