https://doi.org/10.15255/KUI.2022.042
Published: Kem. Ind. 72 (3-4) (2023) 237–245
Paper reference number: KUI-42/2022
Paper type: Review
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Ecotoxicity of Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs on Aquatic Organisms

D. Bićanić, A. Čugalj, M. Jajčević, A. Lazinica, M. Miloloža and D. Kučić Grgić

Abstract

In today’s modern world, it is difficult to imagine life without the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Namely, due to easy availability, we witness their increasing presence in all components of the environment, where they most often end up due to improper disposal or via wastewater. Therefore, it is important to note that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can often be found as part of wastewater originating from pharmaceutical industries and hospitals, as well as municipal wastewater. In the last few decades, scientists have become aware that these drugs represent a great danger because, in addition to polluting all components of the environment, they also cause negative consequences for organisms present in the environment, thus, more time is being devoted to conducting ecotoxicity tests. Ecotoxicity tests are the best solution for monitoring the negative effects of individual substances and/or their mixtures on the organisms, whereby a negative effect for humans can be predicted as well. This paper provides an overview of previous research related to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and their role in the food chain. An overview of several types of drugs such as ibuprofen, diclofenac, and ketoprofen is given, as well as their effect on certain organisms such as Daphnia magna, Danio rerio, Tinca tinca, and Navicula sp.

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Keywords

non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, ibuprofen, diclofenac, ketoprofen, ecotoxicity tests