Abstract
Cephalosporin type of antibiotics are the most frequently prescribed drugs used for the treatment of bacterial infections. To understand whether these compounds cause water pollution after their intake, a risk assessment has been conducted. Predicted Environmental Concentrations (PEC) and Predicted No Effect Concentrations (PNEC) have been calculated after extraction of required data. The concentrations of selected compounds at the effluent of WWTPs varied, therefore, in some cases PEC values are represented not with a single value but with a range. In addition, PNEC values in literature exist for different species, therefore, PNEC was also given in a range. Hazard quotient (HQ) values, the PEC/PNEC ratios showed that medium risk is associated for Cefazolin and Cefuroxime and the ratios varied between 0.254–0.138 and 0.140, respectively. The HQ values of the rest of the selected antibiotics were found insignificant. The results indicate that Cefazolin and Cefuroxime should be further monitored at the influent and effluent of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in North Cyprus and an action should be taken (such as modification of the processes exist in WWTPs) to monitor and reduce antibiotic concentration to prevent water pollution.
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This article is a part of the Topical collection in Environmental Earth Sciences on “Water Problems in E. Mediterranean Countries” guest edited by H. Gökçekuş, D. Orhon, V. Nourania, and S. Sozen.
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Doğan, Ş. Risk assessment of selected cephalosporins in surface waters: predictions for North Cyprus. Environ Earth Sci 80, 755 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-021-09961-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-021-09961-4