Ecological and human health risk assessment of pharmaceutical compounds in the Indian river ecosystem

Jyoti Jyoti, Dimple Dimple, Ruby Ruby, Arup Giri*

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00387010.2025.2508793

ABSTRACT. Pharmaceutical compounds release into aquatic ecosystem has become a critical problem because they can harm aquatic organisms and humans. Humans may have serious effects due to presence of phamaceuticals in drinking water. This study aims to analyze pharmaceutical compound ecological and human health risk assessments in thirteen Indian River ecosystems. In this study, various pharmaceuticals, such as ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, aspirin, carbamazepine, caffeine, and ibuprofen, were detected in different river ecosystems across India. This study aims to analyze the concentrations of pharmaceutical compounds, including the risk quotient (RQ), while performing an ecological risk assessment. For human health risk assessment, metrics such as acceptable daily intake (ADI) and the risk quotient were employed to assess human health (RQH). The health risk models revealed that the Sirsa River posed significant ecological threats because RQ > 1, whereas the other rivers presented moderate risks. Children were found to be more vulnerable to pharmaceutical intake, and all the rivers presented RQH values exceeding 1 for adults, underscoring serious health concerns. This study will help categorize pharmaceutical compounds and analyze the ecological and human health risks to water systems. This study provides key insights for policymakers and public health efforts to address pharmaceutical pollution in Indian rivers. It also aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDGs 6 and 12.

Keywords: Acceptable daily intake; Drinking water equivalent level; Hazard quotient; Pharmaceutical residue; Risk quotient

Citation: Jyoti Jyoti, Dimple Dimple, Ruby Ruby, Arup Giri*. 2025. Ecological and human health risk assessment of pharmaceutical compounds in the Indian River ecosystem. Spectroscopy Letters, 1–26. ISSN- 0038-7010 [IF-1.6] [Q3] Indexing: Scopus; Published: 24 May 2025; https://doi.org/10.1080/00387010.2025.2508793

Read more