Treated-wastewater irrigation and biosolid amendment in agriculture are increasingly practiced worldwide, and contamination of plants by pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs) from the treated wastewater and biosolids is an emerging concern. In this study, 8 common vegetable crops were grown in field plots and irrigated with tertiary-treated wastewater with or without PPCP spiking. The vegetables were analyzed for accumulation of PPCPs in the edible parts at harvest. The vegetables included carrots, bell pepper, tomato, cucumber, lettuce, spinach, celery, and cabbage, which were often consumed raw by humans. The results showed that a few PPCPs, especially carbamazepine, were taken up and accumulated in the edible parts. The study findings are valuable as they provide the first-of-its-kind information on the occurrence and potential risks of PPCPs in common vegetables under realistic conditions.

Accumulation of pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs) in vegetables under field conditions

246th National Meeting (2013)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.