Prioritization of risks posed by synthetic chemicals manufactured in China toward humans and the environment via persistence, bioaccumulation, mobility and toxicity properties.

Over a third of the global chemical production and sales occurred in China, which make effective assessment and management for chemicals produced by China's chemical industry essential not just for China but for the world. Here, we systematical assessed the persistence (P), bioaccumulation (B), mobility (M) and toxicity (T) potency properties for the chemicals listed in Inventory of Existing Chemical Substances of China (IECSC) via experimental data retrieved from large scale databases and in silico data generated with well-established models. Potential PBT, PMT and PB&MT substances were identified. High risk potentials were highlighted for groups of synthetic intermediates, raw materials, as well as a series of biocides. The potential PBT and PMT synthetic intermediates and/or raw materials unique to the IECSC were dominated with organofluorines, for example, the intermediates used as electronic light-emitting materials. Meanwhile, the biocides unique to the IECSC were mainly organochlorines. Some conventional classes of insecticides, such as organochlorines and pyrethroids, were classified as being of high concern. We further identified a group of PB&MT substances that were considered to be both "bioaccumulative" and "mobile". Their properties and common substructures for several major clusters were characterized. The present results prioritized groups of substances with high potentials to cause adverse effects to the environment and humans, many of which have not yet been fully recognized.

Residues of Cardiovascular and Lipid-Lowering Drugs Pose a Risk to the Aquatic Ecosystem despite a High Wastewater Treatment Ratio in the Megacity Shanghai, China.

The residues of pharmaceuticals in surface waters of megacities and ecotoxicological implications are of particular concern. In this study, we combined field investigations and model simulations to explore the contamination of cardiovascular and lipid-lowering drugs, one group of the most prescribed medications globally, in surface waters of a typical megacity, Shanghai, with a high wastewater treatment ratio (≈96%). Among 26 target substances, 19 drugs were detected with aqueous concentrations ranging from 0.2 (ketanserin) to 715 ng/L (telmisartan). Of them, angiotensin II receptor antagonists, telmisartan and irbesartan, were dominant besides ß-blockers. Spatial distribution analysis demonstrated their much higher levels in tributaries compared to the mainstream. The results of model simulations and field investigation revealed relatively low concentrations of cardiovascular and lipid-lowering drugs in surface waters of Shanghai compared to other cities in highly developed countries, which is associated with low per capita usage in China. Ecotoxicological studies in zebrafish embryos further revealed developmental effects, including altered hatching success and heart rate, by irbesartan, telmisartan, lidocaine, and their mixtures at ng/L concentrations, which are typical levels in surface waters. Overall, the present results suggest that the high wastewater treatment ratio was not sufficient to protect fish species in the aquatic ecosystem of Shanghai. Exposure to cardiovascular and lipid-lowering drugs and associated risks will further increase in the future due to healthcare improvements and population aging.