Current situation of pharmaceutical wastewater around the globe

Contamination arising from pharmaceutical residues is considered to be a major concern nowadays in several countries. This has prompted researchers around the world to develop advanced techniques to remediate toxic pollutants and also manage their probable impacts on the environment. In this chapter, the pathways by which pharmaceuticals enter the surface water, groundwater, tap/drinking water, soil, and other environmental media through human and animal use are discussed. Several treatment techniques like oxidation, photolysis, UV degradation, membrane processes, reverse osmosis, adsorption, coagulation, and flocculation have been used for their remediation from aqueous systems. In spite of this, there are several prospects for exploration and expansion of advanced treatment in order to protect the environment from pharmaceuticals discharges. In this chapter, case studies of hospital wastewater management from developed and developing countries are also discussed. In conclusion, pharmaceuticals is a worldwide concern because of their consequences and there is a need to design approaches to avert, diminish, and manage their presence in the environment.