Publications
184 results found
Jones OA, Lester JN, Voulvoulis N, 2005, Pharmaceuticals: a threat to drinking water?, Trends in Biotechnology, Vol: 23, Pages: 163-167, ISSN: 0167-7799
Recently, considerable interest has developed regarding the presence of pharmaceuticals in the environment, but there has been comparatively little study on the potential of these substances to enter potable supplies. This is surprising because drinking water would provide a direct route into the body for any drugs that might be present. Although many countries employ advanced treatments, such as granular activated carbon, membrane technologies, ozonation and ultraviolet radiation, for treating water intended for human consumption, some compounds have been shown to be unaffected by such processes. Here, we examine the levels of drug substances reported in drinking water around the world. The possible implications of the presence of these compounds are highlighted and assessed, and recommendations are made for further research.
Slack RJ, Zerva P, Gronow JR, et al., 2005, Assessing quantities and disposal routes for household hazardous products in the United Kingdom., Environmental Science and Technology, Vol: 39, Pages: 1912-1919, ISSN: 0013-936X
The disposal of household products containing hazardous substances (household hazardous wastes; HHW) is of concern due to possible health and environmental effects as a consequence of environmental pollution. The potential risks of disposal are proportional to the amounts of products used and waste generated, but much of the data relating to quantities are old, inconsistent, or nonexistent. Hence, full-scale risk assessment is not yet feasible. This pilot study was aimed at an initial assessment of the amounts of hazardous products used or stored within the household and potential disposal routes. Representatives of 400 households from southeast England were interviewed about socio-demographic factors, perception of the risks associated with the use and disposal of hazardous waste generated in households, quantities of particular products currently in use or stored within the household, and times and methods of disposal of such products. The estimates of quantities obtained were compared with sales figures and waste estimates to improve understanding of product flow through to the HHW stream. The disposal routes investigated demonstrated that most householders claim to use the entire product priorto disposal in the general refuse bin. The relationship with socio-demographic factors demonstrated a difference between neighborhood size and length of residence in a household with regard to product quantities possessed and the disposal habits adopted.
Slack RJ, Gronow JR, Voulvoulis N, 2005, Household hazardous waste in municipal landfills: contaminants in leachate., Science of the Total Environment, Vol: 337, Pages: 119-137, ISSN: 0048-9697
Household hazardous waste (HHW) includes waste from a number of household products such as paint, garden pesticides, pharmaceuticals, photographic chemicals, certain detergents, personal care products, fluorescent tubes, waste oil, heavy metal-containing batteries, wood treated with dangerous substances, waste electronic and electrical equipment and discarded CFC-containing equipment. Data on the amounts of HHW discarded are very limited and are hampered by insufficient definitions of what constitutes HHW. Consequently, the risks associated with the disposal of HHW to landfill have not been fully elucidated. This work has focused on the assessment of data concerning the presence of hazardous chemicals in leachates as evidence of the disposal of HHW in municipal landfills. Evidence is sought from a number of sources on the occurrence in landfill leachates of hazardous components (heavy metals and xenobiotic organic compounds [XOC]) from household products and the possible disposal-to-emissions pathways occurring within landfills. This review demonstrates that a broad range of xenobiotic compounds occurring in leachate can be linked to HHW but further work is required to assess whether such compounds pose a risk to the environment and human health as a result of leakage/seepage or through treatment and discharge.
Jones OAH, Voulvoulis N, Lester JN, 2005, Human pharmaceuticals in wastewater treatment processes, Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology, Vol: 35, Pages: 401-427, ISSN: 1064-3389
The presence of human pharmaceutical compounds in surface waters is an emerging issue in environmental science. In this study the occurrence and behavior of human pharmaceuticals in a variety of wastewater treatment processes is reviewed. Although some groups are not affected by sewage treatment processes others are amenable to degradation, albeit incomplete. While water purification techniques such as granular activated carbon could potentially remove these pollutants from wastewater streams, the high cost involved suggests that more attention should be given to the potential for the optimization of current treatment processes, and reduction at source in order to reduce environmental contamination.
Voulvoulis N, Alexopoulou A, Makropoulos C, 2005, Water Framework Directive: Implementation in Greece
Plant J A, Korre A, Reeder S, et al., 2005, Chemicals in the environment: implications for global sustainability, Trans. Instn. Min. Metall., Vol: 114, Pages: 65-98, ISSN: 0371-7453
Voulvoulis N, Pan J, 2005, The Role of MBT in Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Landfill Disposal of MSW, MBT 2005 International Symposium: Mechanical-biological treatment of municipal solid waste
Voulvoulis N, Slack RJ, Gronow JR, 2005, Hazardous substances in household waste, Publisher: CISA Cagliari
Voulvoulis, Bonin M, Slack RJ, et al., 2005, Quantities of household hazardous waste disposed to UK landfills, Publisher: CISA Cagliari
Bound JP, Voulvoulis N, 2004, Pharmaceuticals in the aquatic environment - a comparison of risk assessment strategies, CHEMOSPHERE, Vol: 56, Pages: 1143-1155, ISSN: 0045-6535
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Jones OA, Voulvoulis N, Lester JN, 2004, Potential ecological and human health risks associated with the presence of pharmaceutically active compounds in the aquatic environment., Critical Reviews in Toxicology, Vol: 34, Pages: 335-350, ISSN: 1040-8444
Recently, considerable interest has developed regarding the presence of pharmaceuticals in the environment, but as yet the potential ecological effects associated with the presence of these compounds have been largely ignored. In this review, laboratory-based acute and chronic toxicity data, as well as studies concerned with the effects of pharmaceuticals on a variety of different organisms, are examined, along with the reported environmental concentrations of pharmaceuticals in aquatic systems. The possible sources and pathways of these compounds to the environment and the effects of a variety of medicines on a range of organisms are also highlighted, and recommendations are made for further research.
Voulvoulis N, Scrimshaw MD, Lester JN, 2004, Removal of organotins during sewage treatment: a case study., Environmental Technology, Vol: 25, Pages: 733-740, ISSN: 0959-3330
Discharge consents for tributyltin (TBT) from wastewater treatment works in the UK are set by the Environment Agency. These values are normally derived from the Environmental Quality Standards for concentrations of TBT in the receiving water, based on the volume of effluent discharged and subsequent dilution within the environment. In this study, a sampling program was designed to monitor concentrations of TBT (and other organotins) in the influent and effluent at each stage of treatment. Sampling was undertaken at 3 hourly intervals, over 24 hours, at 8 locations throughout the works for five days. Organotin concentrations were determined using capillary gas chromatography with flame photometric detection. The results demonstrated that TBT was consistently present in the influent at concentrations of approximately 0.1 microg l(-1). However, a "pulse" of TBT and monobutyltin (MBT) was observed on the third day when the concentration of TBT and MBT in the influent increased to 14 microg l(-1). This "pulse" of TBT and MBT was also observed as the wastewater passed through the unit treatment processes. Concentrations of both compounds were much reduced in the final effluent (TBT 2.5 microg l(-1) and MBT 6.9 microg l(-1)). Over the entire period, the average removal of TBT during primary treatment was 81%, and during secondary biological treatment was 71%. The overall removal efficiency of the plant, taking into account the recycling of returned liquors was 86% between influent and effluent for TBT. Removal efficiency of TBT was correlated to that of suspended solids, and it was demonstrated that on days when suspended solids removal was low, TBT removal was also reduced. The mass flow of organotins through the plant indicated that the majority of TBT was concentrated into the sewage sludge. Concentrations of TBT in sludge at the plant were approximately 18 microg kg(-1) (dry weight).
Voulvoulis N, 2004, Environmental risk management for pharmaceutical compounds as novel contaminants, CIESM Workshop Monographs n°26: Novel contaminants and pathogens in coastal waters - Neuchatel (Switzerland), Switzerland, Publisher: CIESM
Slack RJ, Gronow JR, Voulvoulis N, 2004, Hazardous components of household waste, Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology, Vol: 34, Pages: 419-445, ISSN: 1064-3389
Household hazardous waste (HHW) includes waste containing hazardous substances originating from domestic sources. HHW has attracted attention recently because of the steadily increasing levels of municipal solid waste (MSW) of which HHW forms a proportion. A lack of detailed information exists on specific waste types composing HHW and the volumes of HHW produced. In addition, variations in the definition of HHW hamper the quantification process. The majority of MSW and associated HHW is disposed of to landfill. Understanding the flow of this waste from households to disposal facilities will assist in the evaluation of the potential of HHW to harm the environment or human health. This article provides a review of the hazardous components of household waste. It describes attempts to quantify this waste stream and provides an overview of the health and environmental risks posed by such substances. Results confirm a lack of information on sources and quantities of HHW, together with discrepancies in classification systems in different countries and conflicting conclusions concerning potential environmental and health risks.
Voulvoulis N, 2004, Environmental risk management for pharmaceutical compounds, Dioxin 2004, Berlin, Germany, Pages: 3481-3489
Voulvoulis N, Slack RJ, Gronow JR, 2004, Household Hazardous Waste: Establishing Sources and Disposal Routes, Publisher: The Waste Conference Ltd., Coventry.
Jones OAH, Voulvoulis N, Lester JN, 2003, Analytical method development for the simultaneous determination of five human pharmaceuticals in water and wastewater samples by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, Chromatographia, Vol: 58, Pages: 471-477, ISSN: 0009-5893
Effective analytical methods for the simultaneous determination of five pharmaceuticals from various therapeutic classes in a variety of aqueous samples have been developed and method performance data are presented. The method involves the simultaneous extraction of the selected pharmaceuticals from the aqueous phase by solid phase extraction using a hyper cross linked, polystyrene-divinylbenzene polymer based sorbent. Analytes were eluted with methanol, derivatised with N-methyl-N-trimethylsilyltrifloroacetamide and analysed by gas chromatography - electron ionisation mass spectrometry (GC-EI-MS). Recoveries of 50 to 98% were established for waters spiked with the studied compounds at the low ng L-1 level with the highest detection sensitivities being achieved in the selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode and the quantification limit of the procedure for sample sizes of 1000 ml was approximately 5 ng L-1 for all matrices except sewage which was only tested to 20 ng L-1. Analysis of domestic sewage from a large treatment works demonstrate the presence of all five compounds in both influents and effluents.
Jones OA, Voulvoulis N, Lester JN, 2003, Potential impact of pharmaceuticals on environmental health., Bulletin of the World Health Organization, Vol: 81, Pages: 768-769, ISSN: 0042-9686
Jones OA, Voulvoulis N, Lester JN, 2002, Aquatic environmental assessment of the top 25 English prescription pharmaceuticals., Water Research, Vol: 36, Pages: 5013-5022, ISSN: 0043-1354
An environmental assessment is presented for the 25 most used pharmaceuticals in the National Health Service (NHS) in England in 2000. Predicted environmental concentrations (PECs) for the aquatic environment were calculated using conservative assumptions and all PECs exceeded 1 ng 1 (-1). The calculation of predicted no-effect concentration (PNEC) based on aquatic toxicity data from the literature was possible for eleven of the pharmaceuticals. PNECs were predicted with ECOSAR for 12 of the remaining 14 but no data was available for two of the compounds. The PEC/ PNEC ratio exceeded one for Paracetamol, Amoxycillin, Oxytetracycline and Mefenamic acid. Comparisons of the predicted concentrations of the compounds in sewage sludge based on either calculated sludge-water coefficients (Kd), octanol water coefficients (K(ow)), acid base constants (pKa) or environmental modelling revealed large variations. No toxicity data was available for the terrestrial environment and no assessment was made.
Voulvoulis N, Jones, O and Lester JN, 2002, Analytical method development and preliminary risk assessment of selected pharmaceuticals in the aquatic environment., ICEAC 32: International Symposium on the Environment & Analytical Chemistry, Pages: 203-218
Voulvoulis N, Scrimshaw MD, Lester JN, 2002, Comparative environmental assessment of biocides used in antifouling paints., Chemosphere, Vol: 47, Pages: 789-795, ISSN: 0045-6535
In response to increasing scientific evidence on the toxicity and persistence of organotin residues from antifouling paints in the aquatic environment, the use of triorganotin antifouling products was banned on boats of less than 25 m length in many countries during 1987. Alternatives to tributyltin (TBT) paint are mainly copper based coatings containing organic booster biocides to improve the efficacy of the formulation, and have been utilised on small boats for the last 10 years. With policies encouraging a total ban on TBT, it is expected that these biocides will be used to a greater extent in the future. Limited data and information are available on the environmental occurrence, fate, toxicity, and persistence of these biocides, and thus any decisions on policies regulating antifoulants cannot be fully informed. In this study, a multicriteria comparison of alternative biocides, based on a general assessment of available information in the literature, provided support for the use of the precautionary principle with respect to policies on antifouling products. This assessment was validated by a more detailed comparison of four selected biocides and TBT. Results indicate that TCMS pyridine and TCMTB demonstrate environmental characteristics similar to TBT and thus detail risk assessments are needed before their use is permitted. The widespread use of the other biocides should be allowed only after research to fill the gaps in knowledge with respect to their toxicity and persistence in aquatic environments.
Voulvoulis N, Scrimshaw MD, Lester JN, 2002, Partitioning of selected antifouling biocides in the aquatic environment., Marine Environmental Research, Vol: 53, Pages: 1-16, ISSN: 0141-1136
Following a ban on the use of tributyltin in antifouling products on small boats, a number of organic booster biocides have been utilised in conjunction with copper in antifouling paints as alternative treatments. The fate of organic compounds in the aquatic environment is closely linked to their partitioning between aqueous media and sediment. In this study, experiments were designed to investigate the partitioning and sorptive behaviour of Irgarol 1051, chlorothalonil, dichlofluanid and diuron in the aquatic environment. Factorial experiments were undertaken to determine the importance of pH, particulate matter concentration and salinity to their sorption. A Mackay fugacity model was also applied. Results demonstrated that dichlofluanid had the stronger adsorption characteristics and was predicted to bind more strongly to sediments than Irgarol or chlorothalonil. Diuron exhibited the least preference for sorptive behaviour. Sorption appeared to be enhanced by increased suspended matter, whilst salinity does not seem to play a significant role in the partitioning behaviour of these biocides.
Voulvoulis N and Scrimshaw MD, 2002, Chapter 3: Analysis of estrogenic compounds in wastewater treatment processes, Endocrine disrupters in wastewater and sludge treatment processes, Editors: Birkett, Lester, Florida, USA, Publisher: CRC Press Boca Raton
VOULVOULIS N, 2002, Comparative Environmental Assessment of Biocides Used in Antifouling Paints, Chemosphere, Vol: 47, Pages: 789-795
Voulvoulis N, Scrimshaw MD, 2002, Methods for the Determination of Endocrine Disrupters, Endocrine disrupters in wastewater and sludge treatment processes, Editors: Birkett, Lester, Boca Raton, Publisher: CRC, ISBN: 9781566706018
This book presents research on the endocrine-disrupting effects of sewage and industrial effluents, covering the sources, fate, and transport of EDCs, and ...
Jones OA, Voulvoulis N, Lester JN, 2001, Human pharmaceuticals in the aquatic environment a review., Environmental Technology, Vol: 22, Pages: 1383-1394, ISSN: 0959-3330
There has been increasing concern in recent years about the occurrence, fate and toxicity of pharmaceutical products in the aquatic environment. Many of the more commonly used drug groups (for example antibiotics) are used in quantities similar to those of pesticides and other organic micropollutants, but they are not required to undergo the same level of testing for possible environmental effects. The full extent and consequences of the presence of these compounds in the environment are therefore largely unknown and the issue as a whole is ill-defined. Although these compounds have been detected in a wide variety of environmental samples including sewage effluent, surface waters, groundwater and drinking water, their concentrations generally range from the low ppt to ppb levels. It is therefore often thought to be unlikely that pharmaceuticals will have a detrimental effect on the environment. However, the lack of validated analytical methods, limited monitoring data and the lack of information about the fate and toxicity of these compounds and/or their metabolites in the aquatic environment makes accurate risk assessments difficult.
Voulvoulis N, Scrimshaw MD, Lester JN, 2000, Occurrence of four biocides utilized in antifouling paints, as alternatives to organotin compounds, in waters and sediments of a commercial estuary in the UK, Marine Pollution Bulletin, Vol: 40, Pages: 938-946, ISSN: 0025-326X
Waters and sediments from marinas, mooring areas and coastal sites in the Blackwater Estuary, Essex, UK were collected and analysed for the occurrence of Irgarol 1051, chlorothalonil, dichlofluanid and diuron, These biocides were introduced as alternatives to organotin compounds in antifouling products, after restrictions imposed on the use of tributyltin (TBT) in 1987, Samples were collected at the end of one boating season (October 98) and the beginning of the following one (June 99), An input survey was also undertaken with the objective of identifying input sources of these biocides and quantifying the amounts used in the catchment area. The results of the monitoring exercise exhibited some agreement with the findings of the input survey. Irgarol, dichlofluanid and chlorothalonil were detected at a number of sites. Concentrations of Irgarol and dichlofluanid in waters and sediments were enhanced after the boating season and the highest ones were relatively enhanced within the marinas, implying that use in antifoulants accounted for the inputs. Contamination with chlorothalonil was more widespread, consistent with its use in agriculture. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd, All rights reserved.
Voulvoulis N, 2000, Environmental monitoring and assessment of selected antifouling biocides, ENSUS 2000 International Conference on Marine Science and Technology for Environmental Sustainability, Pages: 351-360
Voulvoulis N, Scrimshaw MD, Lester JN, 1999, Analytical method development for the determination of four biocides used in antifouling paints in estuarine waters and sediments by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, Chromatographia, Vol: 50, Pages: 353-357, ISSN: 0009-5893
Irgarol 1051, chlorothalonil, dichlofluanid and diuron are biocides utilised in antifouling paints as alternatives to organotin compounds, after restrictions imposed in the use of tributyltin in 1987. Effective analytical methods for the simultaneous determination of these four biocides in waters and sediments have been developed and method performance data are presented. Quantification is by gas chromatography - electron ionisation mass spectrometry (GC-EI-MS). The method involves the simultaneous extraction of the biocides from water with dichloromethane or from sediments with dichloromethane and acetone. For the determination of diuron the extract was methylated prior to GC analysis to avoid thermal degradation in the instrument. The method was applied to water and sediment samples spiked with the biocides. The highest detection sensitivities were achieved in the selected-ion monitoring (SIM) mode. Recovery studies were performed at 20, 2 and 1 ppb for all biocides in water and 400, 40 and 20 ppb in sediments. The percentage recoveries ranged between 90 and 100 % for waters and 80 and 90 % for sediments. Seven determinations were made at each concentration level along with a procedural blank. The quantification limit of the method was around 0.2 ppb for water and 5 ppb for sediments depending on the individual compound.
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