Matís participated in a study of sewage from three places in Iceland which shows that pharmaceutical residues and residues of hygiene products, such as soaps, hair products and creams, are present in sewage and pumped into the environment.
The study was part of a larger research project comparing the Nordic countries. The samples were taken at the pumping station at Klettagarður, from a well at Landsspítali in Fossvogur, at the pumping station in Akureyri and at the pumping station in Hveragerði.
In most cases, the amount of medicines and hygiene products was lower in Icelandic samples compared to samples from Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland. In some cases, however, higher levels were detected in Icelandic samples, such as ibuprofen (painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs), estradiol (contraceptives) and Atenolol (heart drugs). Sewage treatment of these substances does not take place in Iceland. The report did not draw any conclusions about the environmental impact of these substances, but the aim was only to obtain information on whether the substances are present in order to prioritize research and compounds that need to be monitored.
Medicines and hygiene products are used to a considerable extent in people's daily lives to improve health and hygiene. Hygiene products cover categories such as soaps and detergents, creams, deodorants, cosmetics, perfumes, etc. and are increasingly used around the world. The chemical content of these product categories can be of many kinds and are both available as active ingredients or supplements to increase the quality and / or service life of hygiene products.
For further information Hrönn Ólína Jörundsdóttir project manager at Matís.