Drugs of abuse and tranquilizers in Dutch surface waters, drinking ...

RIVM Report 703719064As can be observed from Figure 3.17 and 3.18, concentrations in theNetherlands are within an order of magnitude difference of the concentrations inthe countries Spain, UK and Italy. Exceptions are the relatively highconcentrations reported in the UK for amphetamine, cocaine, benzoylecgonineand morphine in effluent wastewater. Concentrations of THC-COOH andmorphine in Dutch influent seem somewhat higher and concentrations of cocaineand benzoylecgonine in Dutch effluents seem somewhat lower than thoseobserved in the other countries. From the compounds presented, cocaine and itshuman metabolite benzoylecgonine were most abundantly detected inwastewater influents and effluents, with concentrations in influents of betweenapproximately 500 and 2000 ng/L, respectively. Amphetamine,methamphetamine, amphetamine-type stimulants (MDMA, MDMA, MDEA), THC-COOH and opiates (methadone and morphine) were present in wastewaterinfluents at lower concentration levels in the range of 37–665 ng/l. An exceptionis the relatively high concentration for amphetamine reported in the UK (2753ng/L) Concentrations of drugs and metabolites were lower in effluents thaninfluents, suggesting degradation or sorption of these substances andmetabolites in wastewater treatment plants. This was confirmed in other studiesin treatment plants in other European countries (Boleda et al., 2007; Huerta-Fontela et al., 2007; Postigo et al., 2008; Bijlsma et al., 2009). However,significant amounts of illicit drugs and metabolites were still present in effluentsand consequently will end up in the receiving water bodies, i.e., surface/riverwater (Boleda et al., 2007; Huerta-Fontela et al., 2007; Vanderford andSnyder., 2006; Hummel at al., 2006).100001000STP influentThe NetherlandsSpainUKItalyConc. (ng/L)100101amphetaminemetamphetamineMDMAcocaïnebenzoylecgoninecocaethylenenorbenzoylecgoninenorcocaineTHC‐COOHmorphinemethadonFigure 3.17. Comparison of average concentrations from Dutch STP influentswith three other European countriesPage 41 of 90