Evaluation and Impact of Pharmaceutical Residues from Hospital Waste in Lagos State on Dissolved Oxygen in Water
Main Article Content
Keywords
Pharmaceutical residues, Impact, Hospital waste, Dissolved oxygen, Water
Abstract
Background: This study assessed the influence of pharmaceutical residues from hospital waste on dissolved oxygen (DO) levels in water sources near four hospitals in Lagos State, Nigeria.
Methodology: A total of 35 water samples were collected from boreholes, wells, and taps adjacent to hospital waste sites and analyzed for ciprofloxacin, paracetamol, and bromazepam residues using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), alongside DO measurements with a calibrated digital meter.
Results: Residue concentrations varied across sites, with paracetamol levels exceeding WHO guidelines in several samples, potentially contributing to the observed low DO (<2 mg/L) across all locations—well below thresholds for aquatic life (5–6 mg/L) and drinking water (>6.5 mg/L). Hospital location D exhibited the highest residue levels, followed by location B, while locations A, C, and the control (E) showed lower concentrations. Statistical analyses (t-tests) indicated no significant differences for ciprofloxacin and bromazepam relative to permissible limits (p > 0.05), but paracetamol was significantly elevated (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: These findings highlight an association between pharmaceutical residues and DO depletion, underscoring risks to aquatic ecosystems and human health. Recommendations include enhanced hospital waste segregation, advanced water treatment protocols, and policy reforms to enforce pharmaceutical disposal standards, aligning with SDGs 3, 6, and 11 for sustainable health and water management.
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