Occurrence and fate of pharmaceuticals, personal care products (PPCPs) and pesticides in African water systems: A need for timely intervention
Charles Obinwanne Okoye, Emmanuel Sunday Okeke, Kingsley Chukwuebuka Okoye, Daniel Echude, Felix Atawal Andong, Kingsley Ikechukwu Chukwudozie, Henrietta Ukamaka Okoye, Chigozie Damian Ezeonyejiaku
Abstract
The occurrence of emerging contaminants (ECs) such as pharmaceuticals, personal care products (PPCPs) and pesticides in the aquatic environment has raised serious concerns about their adverse effects on aquatic species and humans. Because of their toxicity and bioactive nature, PPCPs and pesticides have more potential to impair water systems than any other contaminants, causing several adverse effects, including antibiotic resistance, reproductive impairment, biomagnification, bioaccumulation, etc. Over 35 publications from Africa have reported on the occurrence and fate of PPCPs and pesticides in African water systems with little or no data on remediation and control. As a result, adequate intervention strategies are needed for regulating the persistence of PPCPs and pesticides in African water systems.