Summary
The research is aimed at investigating the general effects of the accelerated use of pharmaceutical and other personal care products by humans on aquatic ecosystems. These pharmaceutical wastes constitute most of the domestic wastes which make up more than half of the total waste disposed of by the municipal (William, 2005). The study also focuses on identifying the existing ways of treating the effluents. Once discharged in the aquatic environments, the levels at which this toxic can be adverse are examined and regulated.
The study specifically looks into the effects of sertraline hydrochloride commonly referred to as Zoloft. Zoloft is regarded as an antidepressant used to treat depression, as well as anxiety disorders. It aims at investigating the possible effects of Zoloft and the possible concentrations at which exposure can cause adverse effects. In addition, it also aims at identifying the endpoint effects of exposure to the organisms and the aquatic ecosystem as a whole.
A major issue addressed in the study is the force drivers that are responsible for the increased usage of these products. The paper includes economics, as well as social forces, steering the over-reliance on the products also discusses in depth the implication of not addressing the issue at an earlier stage.
Zoloft has proven to be capable of causing adverse effects even at low-concentration levels also the lack of conventional methods of waste treatment, as highlighted in the study, also proves that the increased usage of these pharmaceuticals is a disaster in the making. According to William, Zoloft’s presence in the aquatic ecosystems can cause various effects in the present organisms for instance the fish are affected by the constituent chemicals of these antidepressants as well as psychological or behavioral effects to other organisms (William, 2005).
In summary, the research also addresses the issue of a wide market for pharmaceuticals arising from the increased prescription of the antidepressant especially in Canada and the United States. This prescription comes hand in hand with increased waste disposal in the waters consisting mainly of Zoloft. A lot of people suffering from major depressions and anxiety have been prescribed Zoloft. this is because, according to research, their side effects are a little less pronounced and are also efficient than other prescriptions. It is also discussed in-depth, the reason why most of the patients prefer this kind of treatment to others, which could be a bit environmentally friendly (Kummerer’s, 2010).
Highlighted in the study is the problem evidenced by the lack of solutions implemented to combat the effects of these Zoloft on the organisms in the aquatic environment. In the current generation, basing arguments on kummerer’s green and sustainable pharmacy, there are less effective modes of treatment of pharmaceutical discharge in the water. The study addresses the issue of solution-finding as well as recommendations for the future generation on dealing with these discharges.
Dire future recommendations expounded in the research paper include ways of ensuring the wastes do not find their way into the water. This can be considered as a method of eliminating the carrier agents or the causative agents that end up discharging the waste into aquatic environments. The Research establishes the vital steps towards reducing the reliance on this Zoloft in the prescription of psychiatric disorders. Future researches are also introduced to try and modify existing ways of disposal of Zoloft under the idea that better methods of research will be available.
Some examples of researches done are highlighted in the study although in third party review. Various steps and procedures that were undertaken to examine the effects of Zoloft and other pharmaceutical materials are discussed in depth in this research paper paying close attention to both the causative agents as well as the levels at which these toxics are considered risky and capable of causing adverse effects. With a clear indication of what happens underexposure, including the parts most affected, the task of resolving the problem and the dire need to come up with a stable solution is easily confronted and most probably could be achieved.
Background
General knowledge
Pharmaceutical products, in this case Zoloft, are materials prescribed by physicians or pharmacists that are used to treat psychiatric disorders such anxiety or depression in either adults or children. Zoloft is a trade name for sertaline hydrochloride, which is an antidepressant classified as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (Chew at al, 2009). Basing arguments on what your patients need to know about psychiatric medications, by chew and other authors, these kinds of inhibitors affects the neurons and may increase the activity of nerve transmission. Under this reasoning, therefore, it is clear that even in low concentrations they are capable of causing serious negative effects on aquatic ecosystems in general.
The problem is also escalated by the fact that most of the people involved in the path of these wastes into aquatic environments rarely acknowledge this. Many at times, these people do certain things unaware of consequences for instance the prescription of Zoloft may be dangerous even when the patient do take this drugs since, in one way or another, the end result is waste and when this waste is not properly managed, the cycle continues over and over.
History of the problem
Pharmaceutical products were first found in the aquatic environment in the 1970s, and their effects to the aquatic organisms were initially evidenced in the same period. Over time, numerous wastes materials are continuously finding their way into the water surface because of increased human ignorance and innovations (Kummerer, 2010).
In the past times, pharmaceutical products were rarely a threat to the environment because; the past generation was not sensitive about their appearance as in the current times. This has led to the attention on appearance leading to increased usage of care products in other words the pharmaceutical products (Zoloft)..
Problem development
The over reliance on the care products is also driven by other factor in the community for instance social influence and economy. These factors are heavily responsible for the development of the problem due to certain circumstances, which can be broken down as follows:
On social influence, the force driving the usage of human care products is evidenced in the case where the society members are influenced to use the product. Influence drives others to use the chemicals consequently leading to increased usage. On an economic basis, these health care products are convenient to the low-income people, therefore, the reason that these products are economically friendly steers the reliance on pharmaceutical products, for example, Zoloft (Chew, at al, 2009).
The lack of addressing the problem in time comes along with other implication that can get worse. As earlier stated, the effects of Zoloft do not necessarily depend on the concentration although adverse conditions may arise from heavy concentrations. Examples of effects on the aquatic organisms include disruption of organism reproduction habits, increased mortality rate in the ecosystem, growth inhibition on the victimized as well as immobilization and changing cell structure. These problems only escalate when the solutions are not in place. The sooner the solutions are in place the better since it is not only a question of identifying the solution but also properly assimilating the solution in time.
With the introduction of efficient solutions towards proper disposal of these Zoloft, the future could be sustainable in development. According to William’s Human pharmaceuticals: assessing the impacts on aquatic ecosystems, environmental resources are vital for most developmental projects and, therefore; their destruction could lead to no or less development in the environment. Recent technological innovations have also contributed in increasing the availability of the products. Evidently, with technology, it is easier and faster to develop these Zoloft and consequently without a solution in place, the effects just escalate more and more.
Practically in an environment where there exists solutions put in place, it is easy and safe to carry on day-to-day activities. Taking an example, in the affected areas, a huge threat is posed on human health because the waste product, after disposal in the water with little treatment could be the causative agent of certain diseases in human. On the other hand, in areas where fewer disposals have taken place, the waters are not contaminated and thus little threat is posed on human health (Kummerer, 2004).
State of the science
What is being done?
Scientifically, now there have been various efforts to try and come up with modes of better pharmaceutical waste disposal, as a safty measure. There are also efforts identify effects caused by disposal of this waste which is not properly treated. Research has been done on the aquatic organisms to examine the implication of Zoloft and other pharmaceutical materials. Ideally, scientists are hopeful of finding a solution to either proper treatment of these waste products or better means of disposal apart from into the aquatic environment that can be less harmful.
Scientists are currently focused at improving management of pharmaceutical waste and ensuring that the wasted drugs are out of reach to children. Under this reason, they have come up with the aspect of incineration, which is faced by the challenge that incinerators have been passed by time and leaving waste streams and aquatic ecosystems a common choice of disposal.
Recently, various scientific actions aimed at improving disposal methods are not exactly implemented, and thus; they are not clearly evidenced for reference, though some research has been carried out to lead towards good Zoloft disposals (Polprasert, 2007).
Various modes of disposal, which are more or less effective, are already strongly enrooted into the society. These methods include the returning to manufacturer choice on the products. This effort is the major control activity being done in the environment today to reduce chances of these toxics finding their way to dangerous ecosystems such as aquatic environments (Laws, 2000). The practice of returning to manufacturer works through the reasoning that the manufacturer, in one way or another had a way of disposing the product in case of zero market. Under this idea, the wastes products are also gathered reducing the effects of scattered toxics, which can pose a greater risk. Returning to the manufacturer is an example of what is being done although a much better method of Zoloft disposal can be established through extensive researches.
Most of these toxic wastes are compounds of various chemicals, which are detrimental to the environment. Recent activities to curb pollution on the aquatic ecosystems also include the breakdown of these compounds to less dangerous chemicals, which are easy to dispose. These efforts often involve incineration or scientific works aimed at disintegrating the chemical composition of the toxic products. Practically, this leads to less effect on the environment since most of these chemicals are biodegradable on their own unlike in compound forms (Laws, 2000).
Details and data
Citing reference from Morris, Acid toxicity and aquatic animals Zoloft, as evidenced in researches and various studies are the major issues posed on the environment and the organisms when it comes to their disposal. Researches carried out on affected organisms shows the adverse effects caused by exposure to these toxics whether at low levels or high-concentration levels. To examine and authenticate these ideas, various researches were carried out in which case aquatic organisms were investigated before and after exposure to Zoloft.
The research was carried out on fish; where by two groups of fishes were examined. One group was protected from industrial and municipal effluents to ensure they do not come into contact with any form of pharmaceutical products, while the other group was exposed to primary treated effluents. Later on the fishes exposed to effluents were transferred to continuous flow of other effluents treated with ozone and other antidepressants.
On completion of the research duration, the specimens were then tested under various scientific methods, which included analysis on the liver of the specific organisms. An ion chromatogram of the liver shows the highest concentration levels of the antidepressants as well as brain tissues. The results were compared to those carried out on the organism protected from the toxics and conclusions drawn.
The organisms subjected to toxics displayed a variety of effects ranging from reproduction pattern disruption to immobilization (Morris, 1989). The organisms exposed to the toxics showed signs of irregular reproduction patterns compared to the unexposed organisms, which had a balanced pattern. The affected samples also exhibited signs of immobilization, which was linked, to the chemicals present in the Zoloft.
An addition increment in mortality rate is another vital effect that was displayed after exposure to the Zoloft. This is probably the result from adverse subjection to high concentration of these pharmaceutical wastes (Cowgill at al, 1989). The waste materials are also considered having affected the brain system of the organisms, which was argued to be the cause of their mortality. The Zoloft was also identified to have caused a change in the cell structure of the organism that came into contact. The alteration of the cell structure leads to consequent reduction in the general functioning of the cell and body tissues. These, along with many other adverse effects are consequences of exposure to Zoloft containing wastes and other pharmaceutical wastes (Cowgill at al, 1989).
The study concluded that following exposure to various concentrations of the waste materials the organisms general body function was altered either due to the effects on the brain, liver or cells. Basing ideas on Cowgill’s Aquatic toxicology and hazard assessment it is clear that no matter how low the concentration levels are, the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors effects are still felt because they affect the neurons and the nervous system of their organisms.
Aquatic toxicology and hazard assessment also highlights some other research findings that point out that the Zoloft do not necessarily find their way into aquatic waters through direct disposal. This study shows that these toxins especially the Zoloft can find their way into aquatic ecosystems through human consumption. It exhibits the risks of proper drainage systems to effectively get rid of human waste. This waste may contain the toxic products which end up in various ecosystem one of them being aquatic environments. Cowgill, in the book, recommends better drainage in sewers and proper discharge of wastes by humans in an effort to increase chances of sustainable waste disposal whether pharmaceutical or just normal wastes.
The fact that these toxics could find their path into aquatic waters engraves the need for a course of action aimed at creating awareness on the dangers of certain activities which are often passed by as minor. Educating the public on better ways of getting rid of their waste, especially which is constituent of non biodegradable products such as Zoloft, is a major leap ahead towards improving environmental management. This idea basically revolves around capacity building in the sense that in empower the people themselves to take responsibility for their environment since they are the ones to suffer the consequences if they do not (Kummerer, 2010).
Future research needs
What needs to be done?
In accordance to the current situation of Zoloft disposal, there are certain recommendations that need be considered towards achieving sustainable chemical disposal. This effort involves the assimilation of the government and the judiciary specifically into the chemical disposal process to help for instance in drafting laws that governs the amount and type of waste to be disposed (Polprasert, 2007).
The primary step towards better disposal of these wastes can be literary termed as ‘a call to action’. This idea generally aims at increasing awareness to the specific people involved on the need to effectively dispose Zoloft as well as acknowledging the risks of untreated waste disposal. Basically, the initial step towards achieving something involves identifying the reason (Polprasert, 2007). This can be considered the root of establishing this initial step of creating awareness.
A call to action is practically the most important prospect of improving disposal since it focuses on the root source of the waste, the people. Through inciting the people towards better choice of Zoloft, there exist a bit of light in achieving sustainable waste disposal. In cases where the people are aware of the risk posed by use of a certain chemical, they practically tend to choose an alternative product, which could be more environmental friendly in comparison to the others. On the contrary, where people are naive of the dangers associated with their actions, there is little or even no hope of changing their mind concerning the specific activities (Laws, 2000).
Practically the knowledge of certain things is vital in the process of education or in efforts to improve knowledge in the specific field. Arguably the possession of knowledge on the dangers of Zoloft to the ecosystem in the long run could be a supportive factor in changing various ways in which people use them (Polprasert, 2007).
Another possible way of achieving better disposal modes lies in the assimilation of government powers in the source of waste. Pharmacies and hospitals are the major sources of these Zoloft and with proper laws implemented that govern their disposal an effective and environmental friendly method of disposal can be quickly achieved.
This idea works as a watchdog overseeing the process of waste disposal to ensure that proper means are followed. The legislation is responsible for putting in place a governing law that all the chief sources of Zoloft are required to adhere to. That is, pharmacies and hospitals the law may be, for example, a guideline on how to dispose the waste or rather guideline on what the sources needs to do in order to reduce the effects of their waste to the environment (Laws, 2000). The implementation of such guidelines helps in increasing the source willingness to dispose their waste compared to cases where there are no guidelines or rules overseeing the management and disposal process of the Zoloft.
According to laws, Aquatic pollution: an introductory text some other possible steps towards achieving better disposal of this toxic can be drawn from the need of educating the public on the risk of not being cautious. This method focuses on reducing the circumstances, which necessitate the need to use these pharmaceutical health care products. The idea behind this reasoning is based on the fact proper and cautious living comes hand in hand with reduced or minimal requirement of health products. Consequently, this leads little or no market for the Zoloft, which is followed by low sate presence, and, therefore, the problem of disposal is not pronounced.
The following is just but a few ‘needs to be done’, which are aimed at rectifying or reducing the increased usage of Zoloft in health care. With increased attention on these needs as well as other few approaches, the chances of achieving waste disposal sustainability are increased and most probably could be achieved within a shorter time than expected.
Benefits of the solutions
Benefits of implementation of the identified solution are vast and are direct or indirect. Ideally, the benefits are drawn from the importance of clean and sustainable environmental development. Simplifying the benefits of solution introduction in waste management can be done through pointing out one of the most important benefit, which is better living in the environment.
To understand the benefits of solution implementation, one needs to understand the importance of the aquatic ecosystems affected and not affected by toxic. The various kinds of ecosystems vital for the balance of energy levels include the microorganism species, which are susceptible to untreated waste disposal compared to the macro organisms. These organisms are involved in the balance of nature where they co-exist in the same habitat i.e. water ecosystem. The effects on of these organisms either directly or indirectly lead to effects on the other organism, which depend more or less on each other for survival.
The solutions, at one point or another generally reduces the danger to the environment as well as reducing the risks present in specific ecosystems. The identification of solutions to such problems as Zoloft disposal practically leads to faster and easier ways of doing certain activities in the environment since reduced risks leads to increased participation in various activities (Park, 2001).
The environment: principles and applications by park highlight simplicity of environmental management as a benefit that comes along with assimilation of identified solutions to the problem of pharmaceutical waste disposal. Simplicity of management can be through the simplified tasks, which are involved, in the whole process of environmental management. This process involves waste management and reduced effects of the released waste in the environment.
According to Kumar, other benefits of the solutions include the expounded idea of the ecosystems being safer and more likely to support life and existence of a wide range of organisms. This importance can also be cited as the reason behind the vast biodiversity due to that fact that, the environment is capable of supporting their existence unlike when the challenge of accelerated waste disposal still poses a major threat.
References
Chew, R. & Hales, E. (2009). What your patients need to know about psychiatric medications. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Pub.
Cowgill, U. & William, L. (1989). Aquatic toxicology and hazard assessment. Pennsylvania: ASTM International.
Kumar, A. (2003). Aquatic ecosystems. Delhi: APH publishers.
Kummerer, K. (2004). Pharmaceuticals in the environment: sources, fate, effects and risks. New York: Springer publishers.
Kummerer, K. (2010). Green and Sustainable Pharmacy. New York: Springer publishers.
Laws, E. A. (2000). Aquatic pollution: an introductory text. San Francisco: John Wiley and Sons publishers.
Morris, R. (1989). Acid toxicity and aquatic animals. England: Cambridge university press.
Park, C. (2001). The environment: principles and applications.London: Routledge publishers.
Polprasert, C. (2007). Organic waste recycling: technology and management. London: IWA publishers.
William, T. R. (2005). Human pharmaceuticals: assessing the impacts on aquatic ecosystems. New York: Allen Press/ACG Publishing.