| Autor: |
Musee N; Emerging Contaminants Ecological Risk Assessment (ECERA) Group, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa., Kebaabetswe LP; Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Botswana International University of Science and Technology, Palapye, Botswana., Tichapondwa S; Department of Chemical Engineering, Water Utilization and Environmental Engineering Division, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa., Tubatsi G; Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Botswana International University of Science and Technology, Palapye, Botswana., Mahaye N; Emerging Contaminants Ecological Risk Assessment (ECERA) Group, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa., Leareng SK; Emerging Contaminants Ecological Risk Assessment (ECERA) Group, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa., Nomngongo PN; Department of Science and Innovation (DSI)/National Research Foundation (NRF) South African Research Chair Initiative (SARChI), Nanotechnology for Water, University of Johannesburg, Doornfontein 2028, South Africa. |
| Abstrakt: |
The recent outbreak of respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), which causes coronavirus disease (COVID-19), has led to the widespread use of therapeutics, including dexamethasone (DEXA). DEXA, a synthetic glucocorticoid, is among the widely administered drugs used to treat hospitalized COVID-19 patients. The global COVID-19 surge in infections, consequent increasing hospitalizations, and other DEXA applications have raised concerns on eminent adverse ecological implications to aquatic ecosystems. Here, we aim to summarize published studies on DEXA occurrence, fate, and effects on organisms in natural and engineered systems as, pre-COVID, the drug has been identified as an emerging environmental contaminant. The results demonstrated a significant reduction of DEXA in wastewater treatment plants, with a small portion, including its transformation products (TPs), being released into downstream waters. Fish and crustaceans are the most susceptible species to DEXA exposure in the parts-per-billion range, suggesting potential deleterious ecological effects. However, there are data deficits on the implications of DEXA to marine and estuarine systems and wildlife. To improve DEXA management, toxicological outcomes of DEXA and formed TPs should entail long-term studies from whole organisms to molecular effects in actual environmental matrices and at realistic exposure concentrations. This can aid in striking a fine balance of saving human lives and protecting ecological integrity. |
