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Pharmaceuticals in the environment: an educational perspective

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Abstract

Purpose

Pharmaceuticals are an integral part of a dignified life. However, a lack of degradability and threats to the welfare of living beings cause concern due to their emission into the environment. There is also a lack of knowledge about cause and consequence. Therefore, we intend to contribute to the development of educational programmes which should increasingly include the topic ‘pharmaceuticals in the environment’.

Methods

Considering the current literature, we developed a corresponding series of worksheets (Online Resource) and sample solutions on an introductory level and integrated them into our curriculum.

Results

The material compiled for the worksheets was arranged in a logical order and considers several subtopics. The worksheets aim to support the examination of related aspects such as environmental effects, emissions, wastewater treatment plants, degradation, degradation by-products, advanced oxidation processes, hydraulic retention times, half-life times, biosolids, exposition pathways, precautionary principle, classification schemes for pharmaceuticals and, related to the structure–activity relationship, the design for degradability. The students managed to work on the tasks in an appropriate manner and received a good overview of the occurrence and fate of pharmaceuticals in the environment.

Conclusions

Tasks that were presented to students regarding the topic ‘pharmaceuticals in the environment’ contributed to a better understanding of the possible risks of medical care on an introductory level. The tasks have been incorporated into a logic series of worksheets (Online Resource) with sample solutions available. Alternatively, the material would be appropriate for the preparation of a corresponding lecture on this topic.

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Abbreviations

WWTP:

Wastewater treatment plant

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  1. Gymnasium Ganderkesee, Am Steinacker 12, 27777, Ganderkesee, Germany

    Marco Eissen & Donata Backhaus

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  1. Marco Eissen
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Correspondence to Marco Eissen.

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Responsible editor: Philippe Garrigues

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Worksheets concerning the topic ‘Pharmaceuticals in the environment’ (DOC 2.40 mb)

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Eissen, M., Backhaus, D. Pharmaceuticals in the environment: an educational perspective. Environ Sci Pollut Res 18, 1555–1566 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-011-0512-6

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