Common medications, widely used by billions for conditions such as pain, fever, and infections, have been identified in several areas along Djibouti’s Gulf of Tadjourah in East Africa. This discovery is based on a recent study.
The research revealed that untreated urban wastewater contained hazardous levels of anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen. Other detected substances included caffeine and the antiepileptic medication carbamazepine.
These pharmaceuticals were found to be contaminating the coastal waters, posing a potential threat to the marine environment and human health. The study highlights the significant impact of wastewater on aquatic ecosystems.
Source: Mongabay