Ecotoxicology of Organohalides: A Review on Effects and Mitigation for Sustainability in Pharmaceutical Industry

Abstract

The aim of this thesis is to review various ecotoxicological effects of pharmaceutical relevant organohalides with a focus on three: endocrine disruption, antibiotic resistance and behavioral alteration. In addition to that, it enlists the various methods used to carry out ecotoxicological studies and environmental impact assessments as guided by various regulatory agencies and intergovernmental organisations. It also throws light on the significance of studying the ecotoxicological impact of pharmaceutically relevant organohalides. It is found that this class of contaminants is most abundant in aquatic environment. So, to address the need for a treatment method for such substances in the environment, the potential of using dehalococcoides species as a biological marker and biodegradation is discussed. It emerges as the most selective technique for reduction of such contaminants in the environment. Towards the end of the thesis, several important tools and strategies are discussed to mitigate the overall impact of not just the aforementioned class of organohalides but other pharmaceutical waste in order to bring about environmental sustainability in the pharmaceutical industry.