ABSTRACT

This chapter examines relevant information on residues in aquatic organisms, selects factors influencing exposure, and available methods to understand relationships between exposure scenarios and effects thresholds. Regardless of the available published data on exposure of aquatic organisms to Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) (and its size is indeed very limited, especially for real-world scenarios), it rarely intersects a complementary body of data for biological effects. The chapter uses exposure as the framework to better understand the ramifications of APIs in the aquatic environment. Remarkably, given the voluminous literature on APIs in the aquatic environment, little data exist relevant to the occurrence of APIs as residues in the tissues of aquatic organisms. Samuelson et al. reported that levels of several antibiotics in aquatic organisms nearby aquaculture exceeded levels considered safe for human consumption; also see Cabello. Little work has been published on the possible metabolites from aquatic organisms.