Seasonal and Diurnal Fluctuations in the Concentrations of Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCPs) in Residential Sewage Water

Abstract

Seasonal and diurnal fluctuations in pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) concentrations in residential sewage water were ascertained in an area with no businesses industry (e.g., plants or offices) upstream. PPCPs with high detection rates included ibuprofen, acetaminophen and indomethacin (antipyretic analgesics), atenolol and disopyramide (antiarrhythmics), clarithromycin (antibiotic), levofloxacin (synthetic antimicrobial agent) and triclosan (disinfectant). In summer, the concentration of triclosan was the highest, while in winter, the concentrations of ibuprofen and acetaminophen were higher than the others. Moreover, three types of diurnal fluctuations were observed: no marked diurnal changes (triclosan), high daytime concentrations (disopyramide) and high nighttime concentrations (acetaminophen).