Emerging Health Risks of Pharmaceutical Pollutants in Water Sources: Public Health Perspectives and Policy Recommendations

Abstract

Pharmaceutical pollutants are increasingly being detected in natural water sources, raising serious concerns for both environmental integrity and public health. These contaminants originate from human and veterinary drug use, improper disposal, and pharmaceutical manufacturing. Their persistence in the environment and ability to exert biological effects at low concentrations make them pollutants of emerging concern. This review explores the pathways of pharmaceutical pollutants into aquatic ecosystems, their environmental behavior, and the acute and chronic health risks they pose to both humans and animals. It highlights the gaps in current monitoring and regulatory systems, especially in low- and middle-income countries, and emphasizes the urgency of integrated waste management, enhanced surveillance, and public awareness. The review concludes with practical policy recommendations to mitigate these threats and promote a sustainable interface between medicine and environmental health.