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Evaluation of the Efficacy of the Sewage Treatment Plant of Toledo, Spain in the Elimination of Drugs of Abuse and the Estimation of Consumption

Publicated to:Revista Espanola De Salud Publica. 88 (2): 289-299 - 2014-04-01 88(2), DOI: 10.4321/S1135-57272014000200011

Authors: Chicharro, AF; González-Alonso, S; Rubio, JCM; Rivera, YV

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Abstract

Background: in the last years, the presence of new contaminants in water has been rising. There are only few studies which analyze such presence. The aims were to determine the occurrence of drugs of abuse and their metabolites in the influent and effluent of the Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) in Talavera de la Reina, and the River Tagus, as well as to evaluate the STP removal efficiency in the elimination of these substances and to estimate the consumption of drugs in Talavera. Methods: whe samples were taken on June 28, 2010. The presence of 5 groups of drugs (10 drugs of abuse and 9 metabolites) was quantified. The efficiency was calculated from the percentage of reduction of the concentration in the influent and effluent of the STP. Drug consumption was calculated from influent concentrations. Using a specific methodology, based on the assumption the drugs after they are consumed and metabolized in the human body are excreted as parent compounds or metabolites. Whose metabolic pathways are known, and the amount of drug or metabolite quantified corresponds to the dose consumed. Results: ten substances were detected. In all sampling points appeared: Benzoiclegonina (BE) (cocaine metabolite), ephedrine, methadone and its metabolite EDDP. The highest concentrations were of BE (239 ng/L), and THC-COOH (35 ng/L), both in influent. In the Tagus River, the highest concentrations were of BE (5.38 ng/L) and EDDP (4.4 ng/L). The STP removal efficiency was up to 80% for all substances except formethadone (which was zero) and EDDP (increasing to leave the STP). The estimated consumption shows that the most consumed substances were cannabis (1.88 grams / day) and cocaine (0.46 grams / day). Conclusion: the presence of drugs of abuse in River Tagus in Talavera demonstrates that these substances are not eliminated completly by STPs. Drug consumption estimate indicates that the population of Talavera mainly consumed cannabis and cocaine. Thus this methodology can complement epidemiological surveys.

Keywords

ArticleChemistryCocaineConsumerContaminantsEnvironmentEphedrineHumanHumansIllicit drugsMetabolitesMethadoneMethodologyPharmaceuticalsPilot projectsPilot studyRemovalRiverRiversSewageSpainStimulatory drugsStreet drugStreet drugsSubstance abuseSubstance abuse detectionSurface watersSurface-waterWaste-waterWater treatment plants

Quality index

Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel

The work has been published in the journal Revista Espanola De Salud Publica, and although the journal is classified in the quartile Q4 (Agencia WoS (JCR)), its regional focus and specialization in Public, Environmental & Occupational Health, give it significant recognition in a specific niche of scientific knowledge at an international level.

Independientemente del impacto esperado determinado por el canal de difusión, es importante destacar el impacto real observado de la propia aportación.

Según las diferentes agencias de indexación, el número de citas acumuladas por esta publicación hasta la fecha 2025-06-04:

  • WoS: 4
  • Scopus: 3
  • OpenCitations: 2

Impact and social visibility

From the perspective of influence or social adoption, and based on metrics associated with mentions and interactions provided by agencies specializing in calculating the so-called "Alternative or Social Metrics," we can highlight as of 2025-06-04:

  • The use of this contribution in bookmarks, code forks, additions to favorite lists for recurrent reading, as well as general views, indicates that someone is using the publication as a basis for their current work. This may be a notable indicator of future more formal and academic citations. This claim is supported by the result of the "Capture" indicator, which yields a total of: 33 (PlumX).

It is essential to present evidence supporting full alignment with institutional principles and guidelines on Open Science and the Conservation and Dissemination of Intellectual Heritage. A clear example of this is:

  • The work has been submitted to a journal whose editorial policy allows open Open Access publication.
  • Additionally, the work has been submitted to a journal classified as Diamond in relation to this type of editorial policy.

Leadership analysis of institutional authors

There is a significant leadership presence as some of the institution’s authors appear as the first or last signer, detailed as follows: First Author () and Last Author (Valcárcel Rivera, Yolanda).

the author responsible for correspondence tasks has been Valcárcel Rivera, Yolanda.