Hospital Wastewater as a Reservoir of Contaminants of Emerging Concern: A Study Report from South America, Chile.

ABSTRACT: Background/Objectives: Hospital wastewater is a complex effluent containing a wide range of biological and chemical contaminants, including pharmaceuticals, pathogens, and antimicrobial resistance determinants. These discharges pose a growing threat to aquatic ecosystems and public health, particularly in regions where wastewater treatment is insufficient. This study aimed to characterize the chemical and microbiological composition of untreated effluent from a tertiary care hospital in southern Chile, focusing on contaminants of emerging concern. Methods: Wastewater samples were collected at the hospital outlet before any treatment. The presence of two commonly used pharmaceutical compounds, paracetamol and amoxicillin, was quantified using high-performance liquid chromatogr

SUBMITTER: Aguilar-Rangel EJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12649306 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature