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STAR Grant R829006 - The Environmental Occurrence, Fate, and Ecotoxicity of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) in Aquatic Environments (2001 - 2006)
Project Purpose:
This project will characterize the occurrence, environmental fate, and ecotoxicity of five SSRI drugs (fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, citalopram, and sertraline) and their relevant metabolites. Investigations on the environmental chemistry of these five compounds will be used to identify the specific compounds that pose greatest risk to become contaminants in aquatic ecosystems and their persistence in aquatic environments. Routine sampling of a wastewater treatment plant (Starkville, MS, USA) combined with market information on the numbers of prescriptions for specific SSRIs will be used to gauge the potential environmental exposure of specific compounds. Acute and chronic toxicity testing with Ceriodaphnia dubia followed by determination of developmental effects on mosquitofish Gambusia affinis and the amphibians, Xenopus laevis and Hyla chrysoscelis, will help characterize their effects on key components of aquatic ecosystems.
Project Description(s):
The primary objectives of this investigation are to: (1) determine the environmental fate of Prozac (fluoxetine), Luvox (fluvoxamine), Paxil (paroxetine), Zoloft (sertraline) and Celexa (citalopram) in laboratory studies similar to those used for pesticide registration; (2) determine their occurrence in raw wastewater, treated effluent, and downstream receiving waters; (3) determine the acute and chronic toxicity of the five SSRIs and their major environmental metabolites to C. dubia; and (4) determine the developmental effects of chronic SSRI exposure to the mosquitofish and two amphibian species.
Project Outcomes:
Final report: The Environmental Occurrence, Fate, and Ecotoxicity of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) in Aquatic Environments
Contact
Angela Page at page.angelad@epa.gov