PhD student working to protect lakes, rivers and streams from antibiotics and other drugs
When chemicals from common medications enter freshwater ecosystems they can harm aquatic life and humans. (Jon M/Pexels)
Improper disposal of common medications like pain relievers, antibiotics and antidepressants can contaminate Canada鈥檚 freshwater. As use of these pharmaceuticals increase, so does water contamination鈥揷reating both environmental and public health concerns.
That鈥檚 why 成人大片 (成人大片) PhD student Joseph Aladekoyi is studying how pharmaceuticals affect Canada鈥檚 freshwater ecosystems, what gaps exist in wastewater policy and he offers solutions to protect Canada鈥檚 water. His work is supervised by Kim Gilbride from the Department of Chemistry and Biology in the Faculty of Science and Patricia Hania from the Department of Law and Business Management in the Ted Rogers School of Management.
鈥淭here is a common misconception about Canada鈥檚 water abundance, with many Canadians believing the country has unlimited freshwater resources,鈥� said Aladekoyi.
鈥淏ecause only a small fraction of Canada鈥檚 freshwater is actively replenished each year, overuse or pollution of this resource can lead to shortages. By improving how we manage pharmaceuticals, we can protect aquatic life from unintended exposure to chemicals, ensure cleaner water for future generations, and support sustainable waste management and responsible pharmaceutical use,鈥� he said.
Environmental Applied Science and Management PhD student Joseph Aladekoyi researches the impact of pharmaceutical chemicals and other contaminants of emerging concern on freshwater ecosystems in Canada.
Pharmaceutical drugs enter the environment mainly through wastewater from industry, hospitals and homes. These chemicals can disrupt fish reproduction, development and feeding patterns. They can also build up in the food chain and promote antibiotic resistance, which harms both human and environmental health.
Aladekoyi found that Canada鈥檚 Chemicals Management Plan (CMP), under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, helps reduce pharmaceutical pollution in freshwater. However, he says it should be expanded to screen for more pharmaceuticals.
鈥淐anada鈥檚 wastewater treatment plants were built decades ago and while they are effective at removing conventional pollutants like nutrients and metals, they were not designed to filter out pharmaceuticals effectively,鈥� said Aladekoyi.
Recommendations for preventing pollution
Aladekoyi recommends governments encourage pharmaceutical companies to adopt greener production methods and implement regulations that require pharmaceutical industries to treat their wastewater before release.
He also suggests strengthening medication return programs for the safe disposal of unused pharmaceuticals and expanding public education about proper medication disposal.
鈥淓ducating the public about their role in reducing pharmaceutical pollution is crucial to mitigating its impact,鈥� Aladekoyi said. 鈥淧rotecting our water now makes it possible for future generations to have continued access to clean and sustainable freshwater.鈥�
Joseph Aladekoyi is a student in the Environmental Applied Science and Management program and a 2023-2024 recipient of the Geoffrey F. Bruce Fellowship in Canadian Fresh Water Policy.
Read his research, 鈥溾��, in the journal Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety.
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