Detection of pharmaceuticals and personal care products in industrial and residential effluent wastewater

CHED 825

Carolyn Nwankpa, Ebony Hammond, and Kenneth LaiHing.
Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) was used for detection and trace analysis of Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCP's) in various water samples. Several water samples from North Alabama were analyzed to determine the presence and approximate quantity of organic chemicals in treated wastewater from residential and industrial wastewater treatment plants. Organic compounds were extracted and analyzed using GC-MS. Some of the compounds detected and identified in the effluent water may be harmful to aquatic and/or animal life. Detected compounds were ingredients used in plastics, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and other industrial products.