PRIORITISATION OF ANTILIPIDEMIC IN SURFACE WATER OF MALAYSIA USING A RISK-BASED APPROACH

Abstract

Pharmaceutical is essential for modern human society, however when they are released into the environment, they may harm non-target organisms. This study investigates the potential of antilipidemic to exert biological effects on aquatic organisms by determining the risk of antilipidemic to algae, fish, and invertebrates. Predicted Environmental Concentrations (PECs) were determined from fractional excretion and emission from wastewater treatment of antilipidemic which was obtained from numerous trusted sources. The Risk Quotient (RQ) was defined from PEC/ PNEC (Predicted No Effect Concentration). The study shows that gemfibrozil has the highest PEC, followed by simvastatin, rosuvastatin, lovastatin, atorvastatin, pravastatin, fenofibrate, cholestyramine and ciprofibrate. However, based on the risk assessment, all the antilipidemic drugs obtained a value of RQ < 0.01 which indicates the antilipidemic has a significantly low risk towards aquatic organisms in Malaysia.