- 1Department
of Bioanalysis and Drugs Analysis, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical
University of Warsaw, 1 Banacha Street, PL-02097, Warsaw, Poland. joanna.giebultowicz@wum.edu.pl.
- 2Department
of Bioanalysis and Drugs Analysis, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical
University of Warsaw, 1 Banacha Street, PL-02097, Warsaw, Poland.
- 3Department
of Environmental Health Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical
University of Warsaw, 1 Banacha Street, PL-02097, Warsaw, Poland.
Abstract
In
recent years, cardiovascular diseases were the second most common cause
of death worldwide. Therefore, the consumption of drugs used to treat
cardiovascular diseases is high. So far, there were no such
comprehensive reports regarding the presence of cardiovascular drugs in
surface and tap waters, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe. The
aim of our study was to determine the presence of 30 pharmaceutically
active compounds and some of their metabolites, at specific points of
the Vistula River and in tap water samples in the Warsaw region. The
analysis was performed using the liquid chromatography-electrospray
ionization-tandem mass spectrometry method, coupled to solid-phase
extraction. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first
time where the presence of ciprofibrate in the environment was
investigated. Cardiovascular drugs found at the highest concentrations
(reaching 1 μg/L or higher) in surface water were beta-blockers, sartans
and diuretics. In tap water samples, trace amounts of pharmaceuticals
were detected, for almost all target compounds. This highlights their
inadequate elimination by the treatment facility used in the Warsaw
region. The presence of cardiovascular compounds in the aquatic
environment could have a long-term effect even at a low exposure level,
since synergy effects amongst pharmaceuticals may occur.
KEYWORDS:
Cardiovascular; Ecological; Pharmaceuticals; Pollution; Risk; Water
