Environmental risk assessment of propofol in wastewater: a narrative review of regulatory guidelines. (25th January 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Waspe, J.; Orr, T.
• Is Part Of: Anaesthesia. Volume 78:Number 3(2023)
• Page Start: 337
• Page End: 342
• Publication Date: 2023-01-25
• Subjects: environmental risk assessment -- propofol -- toxicity; Anesthesia -- Periodicals; 617.96
• DOI: 10.1111/anae.15967
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-2409

Abstract

Summary: Concerns relating to the negative environmental impacts of anaesthesia are increasing, and in recent years, there has been an environmentally motivated trend towards greater use of propofol‐based total intravenous anaesthesia. Consequently, the environmental burden of propofol waste and disposal, particularly into wastewater, has gained attention. Current literature reporting levels of propofol in wastewater are scarce and the threat this presents to the environment is unclear. We review the regulatory requirements for conducting an environmental risk assessment, with a focus on the process for analysing whether drugs or drug metabolites cause harm to aquatic species. Furthermore, we present a profile for the aquatic toxicity of propofol based on available data and discuss the implications of this for future practice.