EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The ubiquitous use of pharmaceuticals in prescription medicines has resulted in a relatively continuous discharge of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) into water sources. APIs have become chemicals of emerging concern to the public because of their potential to reach drinking-water at trace level of concentration (ng/L). Therefore, holistic and dynamic environmental forensics research approach will be carried out to trace the origin and distribution of these contaminants. With identifications on occurrences of API in drinking water systems, the toxicity risks of each pollutant compound could be evaluated comprehensively and systematically.
This proposed study could provide a profound understanding on the availability, mobility, and pollution status of APIs in the treated water of Greater Kuala Lumpur and Klang Valley. This study also aims to improve public understanding, identifying and suggest regulatory action when appropriate through policy and regulation revision. As part of this strategy, this research is examining ways to screen and prioritize pharmaceuticals that occur in drinking water for potential human health risk at low concentrations as well as to integrate the modelling approach that predict the distribution, pathway and fate of the APIs.
Community participatory approach will be also implemented in this proposed research in order to increase knowledge and concern towards the proper pharmaceutical medications disposal and decrease the pharmaceutical in drinking water. Information generated from the proposed research will broadly impact the ability to evaluate the risk poses by the APIs as well as to minimize micropollutants and their transport to downstream drinking water supplies. This will help the government to respond to the concerns for more sensible public participation as well as to take appropriate action and make amendments on the legislation and thus ensuring public access to clean and treated water as part of the National Key Results Areas under the Government Transformation Programme.
Latest Update : Wed, 05 Sep 2018 (nur_diyana)