This is a database
of available information on the general chemistry and toxicology of potential environmental
levels of pharmaceuticals. This information will allow users to quickly assess the
hazards these drugs might pose to aquatic resources. Also, the paucity of information
for many often prescribed drugs may help focus future research.
Most drugs pass through a user’s body unmetabolized. Large quantities of drugs are
administered to both pets and livestock. These chemicals, which are often designed
to be inherently toxic, enter waterways through direct runoff and through discharge
of treated sewage. Frequently, sewage treatment does not affect the chemical structure,
and therefore, the toxicity of drugs. Consequently, pharmaceuticals often enter
the environment at levels similar to better studied agrochemicals.
Understanding the factors that affect loading into adjacent waterways is necessary
for both estimating and reducing impacts.
Data Quality
All data were reviewed by a team of scientists. These scientists verified that each
value matched the primary source. Although reasonable effort was made to quality
assure all data on this website, users are urged to review the disclaimer.
Literature Review
To obtain this information, a literature review was conducted during 2005 using the
following key words in online chemical databases, scientific literature, manufacturer
information, regulatory agency data, and Internet search engines.
- antibiotic toxicity
- CAS number
- chemical name
- chemical characteristics database
- chemical formula
- chemical parameter
- commercial drug name
- detection
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- EC50
- LC50
- MSDS
- persistence
- pharmaceuticals in the environment
- pharmaceutical persistence
- pharmaceutical toxicity
- toxicity
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We do not imply that this is a comprehensive database. We may update the data as
new sources are identified. All users are asked to supply additional data sources
by using the contact information page.
Please note: Although we have made attempts to verify all data, some of the primary
sources were not available.
Project Status
Information
useful for estimating the relative toxicological risk of pharmaceuticals in the
environment is available in an easily queried format. The pharmaceuticals within
the database represent the top 200 prescribed in the US during either 2003 or 2004
supplemented by all other known antibacterial and antilipemic drugs as these are
of particular interest to our research program.
The database currently has information on a total of 349 drugs representing 304 unique
active ingredients.