Priority Research Questions on the Environmental Impacts of Pharmaceutical and Personal Care Products in China: Insights from Chinese Scientists

Abstract

Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) can enter the environment through various routes. Given the emerging importance of PPCP contaminants in China, we used semi-structured interviews to probe Chinese scientists’ perspectives, opinions, and attitudes on current and future PPCP research needs. We interviewed 14 respondents, nearly all of whom recognized the potential for adverse effects on human and ecosystem health even though current scientific evidence supporting harmful outcomes was viewed as tentative. Respondents identified poor disposal practices at hospitals and PPCP factories as important targets for focused control measures that could have high impact. Some thought public media could be used to build awareness of PPCPs among citizens; others thought that accurate information needed to be provided directly to policymakers and regulators. To make appropriate and cost-effective decisions regarding PPCP discharge to the environment, cross-disciplinary cooperation will be needed between Chinese environmental scientists, medical scientists, engineers, and economists.