Occurrence of β-blockers and β-agonists in hospital effluents and their receiving rivers in southern Taiwan
Journal
Desalination and Water Treatment
Journal Volume
32
Journal Issue
1-3
Pages
49-56
Date Issued
2011
Author(s)
Abstract
The occurrence of pharmaceuticals in aquatic environments has been of increasing concern in developed and developing countries. The major sources of pharmaceuticals in aqueous systems are waste streams from hospital effluents and excretion (in both metabolized and un-metabolized forms) from humans and animals. This study investigated the occurrence and distribution of four β-blockers (propranolol, atenolol, metoprolol and acebutolol) and four β-agonists (tulobuterol, salbutamol, clenbuterol and ractopamine) from three hospital effluents and four rivers in southern Taiwan. Analysis was performed via solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry. All targets were detected at least once in all collected samples. The most frequently detected compounds were propranolol, atenolol, acebutolol, and ractopamine, which were found in >70% of the collected samples. 83% of water samples contained three or more target compounds. Metoprolol was found in relatively higher concentrations (up to 592 ng/L) in one hospital effluent, although most target compounds were detected in ng/L-range. The concentrations of β-blockers and β-agonists observed here were comparable to those reported in previous studies around the world. © 2011 Desalination Publications. All rights reserved.
Publisher
Taylor and Francis Inc.
Type
journal article