Human Health Risk Assessment of Non-Steroidal Anti- Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) Residues in Ibadan Hospitals’ Wastewaters

Mahmud Salihi Ateequ; John-Dewole Olusegun

doi:10.56201/ijccp.vol.11.no5.2025.pg22.34

📄 Download Paper

Human Health Risk Assessment of Non-Steroidal Anti- Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) Residues in Ibadan Hospitals’ Wastewaters

Mahmud Salihi Ateequ, John-Dewole Olusegun

Abstract

This study investigates the human health risk associated with Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) residues in hospital wastewaters in Ibadan, Nigeria. The aim is to assess the presence, concentration, and potential health implications of selected NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, diclofenac, and naproxen in untreated hospital effluents. Specific objectives include identifying commonly used NSAIDs in hospital settings, quantifying their concentrations in wastewater, evaluating their persistence after treatment, and estimating the potential human health risks through environmental exposure. The research is anchored in the Risk Assessment Framework, incorporating the four standard steps: hazard identification, dose-response assessment, exposure assessment, and risk characterization. Wastewater samples were collected from major public and private hospitals in Ibadan and analysed using High- Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Risk Quotients (RQ) and Estimated Daily Intakes (EDI) were calculated to determine human health risks via indirect exposure pathways such as water reuse or contamination of surface and groundwater. Findings reveal measurable concentrations of NSAIDs in both raw and treated wastewaters, with diclofenac and ibuprofen present at levels exceeding international safety thresholds. Risk assessment indicates potential long-term health effects, particularly for vulnerable populations such as children and pregnant women. The persistence of these compounds in treated effluents highlights the inefficiency of current treatment systems in removing pharmaceutical residues. In conclusion, NSAIDs residues in hospital wastewaters pose a non-negligible human health risk in Ibadan. The study recommends upgrading wastewater treatment facilities, implementing drug take-back programs, and establishing regulatory policies for pharmaceutical waste management to safeguard public health.

Keywords

NSAIDsWastewaterRiskIbadanHealth

References

Adeniji, A. O., & Okoh, O. O. (2020). Levels of diclofenac and ibuprofen in wastewater and river water: Ecological risk assessment of selected pharmaceutical contaminants in South Africa. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 27(8), 8759–8770. European Union. (2000). Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy. Official Journal of the European Communities, L327, 1–72. European Union. (2007). Directive 2008/105/EC on environmental quality standards in the field of water policy. Official Journal of the European Union, L348, 84–97. Grosser, T., Ricciotti, E., & FitzGerald, G. A. (2017). The cardiovascular pharmacology of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Trends in Pharmacological Sciences, 38(8), 733 –748. Kermani, M., Farzadkia, M., Nabizadeh, R., & Yaghmaeian, K. (2021). Occurrence and ecological risk assessment of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in municipal and hospital wastewaters in Tehran, Iran. Journal of Environmental Health Science and Engineering, 19(1), 171–183. Oluseyi, T., Olayinka, K., & Alo, B. (2021). Occurrence and ecological risks of pharmaceutical residues in wastewater and surface water of Lagos, Southwestern Nigeria. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 193(4), 211. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). (2007). Pharmaceuticals in the environment: Results of an OECD survey. OECD Publishing. Patrono, C., & Rocca, B. (2017). Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: Past, present and future. Pharmacological Research, 128, 274–285. Rainsford, K. D. (2020). Anti-inflammatory and anti-rheumatic drugs. Springer. United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (2015). Contaminants of emerging concern including pharmaceuticals and personal care products. https://www.epa.gov/wqc/contaminants-emerging-concern-includingpharmaceuticals-and-personal-care-products Vane, J. R., & Botting, R. M. (1998). Mechanism of action of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The American Journal of Medicine, 104(3A), 2S–8S. Warner, T. D., & Mitchell, J. A. (2004). Cyclooxygenases: New forms, new inhibitors, and lessons from the clinic. FASEB Journal, 18(7), 790–804. World Health Organization (WHO). (2018). Pharmaceuticals in drinking-water: Public health need and risk management recommendations. WHO Press.

Human Health Risk Assessment of Non-Steroidal Anti- Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) Residues in Ibadan Hospitals’ Wastewaters

Abstract

Keywords

References

More Articles from INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY AND CHEMICAL PROCESSES