The drugs we wash away: What happens to antiretrovirals in the aquatic environment

Abstract

Emerging contaminants The drugs we wash away: What happens to antiretrovirals in the aquatic environment? Increasing amounts of personal care products have been detected in the aquatic environment in recent years. Antiretrovirals (ARVs), used to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), are regarded as emerging contaminants that have received increased attention due to their potential negative effects on the environment. South Africa has more people living with HIV and AIDS than any other country, and therefore utilises more ARV compounds per capita. Approximately 2 150 880 people received ARVs in South Africa in 2012 versus the approximate 199 000 people on ARVs in Eastern Europe. As such, it is theorised that these compounds will be present in the environment to a much greater extent. The environmental release of ARVs is of considerable concern due to potential ecosystem alterations and the development of viral resistances.

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