Manufacturing Facilities Release Pharmaceuticals to the Environment

U.S.G.S
June 2010

Pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities can be a significant source of pharmaceuticals to surface waters, according to a new study by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) conducted in cooperation with the State of New York.

Outflow from two wastewater treatment plants in New York that receive more than 20 percent of their wastewater from pharmaceutical facilities had concentrations of pharmaceuticals that were 10 to 1000 times higher than outflows from 24 plants nationwide that do not receive wastewater from pharmaceutical manufacturers.

This is the first study in the U.S. to identify pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities as a significant source of pharmaceuticals to the environment.  The USGS is working with water utilities to evaluate alternative water treatment technologies with the goal of reducing the release of pharmaceuticals and other emerging contaminants to the environment.

Maximum concentrations in outflows from the two wastewater treatment plants in New York were:

--3,800 parts per billion (ppb) of metaxalone (a muscle relaxant)

--1,700 ppb of oxycodone (an opioid prescribed for pain relief)

--Greater than 400 ppb of methadone (an opioid prescribed for pain relief and drug withdrawal)

--160 ppb of butalbital (a barbiturate)

--Greater than 40 ppb of phendimetrazine (a stimulant prescribed for obesity) and carisoprodol (a muscle relaxant)

--3.9 ppb diazepam (an anti-anxiety medication)

While pharmaceutical concentrations were significantly lower in receiving streams, measurable concentrations were detected as far as 20 miles downstream. By contrast, outflow from the wastewater treatment plants that do not receive wastewater from pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities had concentrations that rarely exceeded one ppb.

This study is part of a long-term effort to determine the fate and effects of chemicals of emerging environmental concern and to provide water-resource managers with objective information that assists in the development of effective water management practices. For more information please see http://toxics.usgs.gov/highlights/PMFs.html