Abstract
Improper pharmaceutical disposal poses significant threats to both environmental sustainability and public health. Pharmaceuticals discarded through household waste, sewage systems, and landfill leachates often enter surface and groundwater, leading to contamination of ecosystems and human food chains. This review explores the pathways through which pharmaceutical residues persist in the environment, their bioaccumulation in aquatic and terrestrial systems, and the associated risks to biodiversity and human health. Evidence highlights the emergence of antimicrobial resistance, endocrine disruption in wildlife, and adverse effects on water quality and agricultural productivity as major consequences of improper disposal. The paper also assesses current regulatory frameworks and disposal practices, identifying gaps in public awareness, waste management infrastructure, and enforcement mechanisms. Finally, it proposes integrated strategies—including pharmaceutical take-back programs, improved wastewater treatment technologies, and community-based awareness initiatives—to mitigate risks and promote sustainable disposal practices. By examining the environmental and public health implications of pharmaceutical waste, this study underscores the urgent need for multi-sectoral collaboration and policy innovation to safeguard ecosystems and human well-being.
Keywords
Pharmaceutical Waste, Environmental Contamination, Public Health Risks, Antimicrobial Resistance, Waste Management, Sustainable Disposal.
Citations
IRE Journals:
Omodolapo Eunice Ogunsola "Assessing the Environmental and Public Health Risks of Improper Pharmaceutical Disposal" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals Volume 2 Issue 12 2019 Page 394-407
IEEE:
Omodolapo Eunice Ogunsola
"Assessing the Environmental and Public Health Risks of Improper Pharmaceutical Disposal" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, 2(12)
About IRE Journals
IRE Journals is an open access online journals established with an aim to publish high quality of research work in various diciplines. We have more than 6 years in publications. Over 2500+ papers already published.
Important Links
For Authors
Volume 8:
Issue 1, Issue 2, Issue 3, Issue 4, Issue 5, Issue 6, Issue 7, Issue 8, Issue 9, Issue 10, Issue 11, Issue 12Volume 7:
Issue 1, Issue 2, Issue 3, Issue 4, Issue 5, Issue 6, Issue 7, Issue 8, Issue 9, Issue 10, Issue 11, Issue 12Volume 6:
Issue 1, Issue 2, Issue 3, Issue 4, Issue 5, Issue 6, Issue 7, Issue 8, Issue 9, Issue 10, Issue 11, Issue 12Volume 5:
Issue 1, Issue 2, Issue 3, Issue 4, Issue 5, Issue 6, Issue 7, Issue 8, Issue 9, Issue 10, Issue 11, Issue 12Volume 4:
Issue 1, Issue 2, Issue 3, Issue 4, Issue 5, Issue 6, Issue 7, Issue 8, Issue 9, Issue 10, Issue 11, Issue 12Volume 3:
Issue 1, Issue 2, Issue 3, Issue 4, Issue 5, Issue 6, Issue 7, Issue 8, Issue 9, Issue 10, Issue 11, Issue 12