HYDERABAD: A study of seven major rivers has found widespread pharmaceutical pollution in urban waterways. The Musi emerged as the most polluted river system and a major hotspot for antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
The study was published in Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology on June 30. It warned that antibiotics in rivers can help drug-resistant "superbugs" develop. This could pose a public health risk to both people and animals.
Tramadol, antibiotics found at high levels
Researchers analysed 24 pharmaceutical compounds in rivers across Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
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The Musi recorded the highest average concentration of tramadol, a painkiller that has drawn public attention because terror suspects reportedly used it to fight fatigue.
Researchers detected caffeine in every water sample. This points to the direct discharge of untreated domestic sewage.
Among the medicines found, acetaminophen (paracetamol) recorded the highest average concentration. Angiotensin receptor blockers used for high blood pressure ranked next, followed by antimicrobial drugs.
Sewage and industrial waste drive pollution
The researchers linked the Musi's pollution to Hyderabad's large pharmaceutical industry. The city has more than 250 pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies and over 300 manufacturing units. Together, they produce nearly 40% of India's bulk drugs.
The river receives untreated industrial waste from 14 major industrial estates, including Jeedimetla and Bollaram. It also receives around 600 million litres of untreated city sewage every day.
Researchers said the
The estimated annual load includes 1,635 tonnes of telmisartan, 928 tonnes of benzotriazole, 765 tonnes of atenolol, 347 tonnes of tramadol, 307 tonnes of acetaminophen and 205 tonnes of erythromycin.
Lower Musi has the highest AMR risk
The study identified the lower stretch of the Musi as the area with the highest risk of antimicrobial resistance.
Researchers reported risk quotients above one for antibiotics such as azithromycin, erythromycin, sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim.
Chennai's Cooum river also showed a high AMR risk. However, the Musi stood out because it combines pharmaceutical waste, untreated sewage and high levels of drug residues.
Researchers also detected nine pharmaceutical compounds in groundwater. However, they found that drinking water currently poses a low health risk. Risk quotients remained below one for all age groups.
Even so, the study warned that polluted river water could help spread drug-resistant infections. The risk increases where people use Musi water for drinking.
The ecological impact was much greater. Telmisartan posed a very high risk to aquatic life. Its risk quotient exceeded 100 for fish and daphnids at urban locations.
Other compounds, including triclocarban and diclofenac, also posed measurable risks to aquatic ecosystems.
The researchers also found a strong link between dissolved organic carbon and pharmaceutical levels. This suggests that organic matter helps these pollutants persist and spread in urban stretches.
Researchers call for stronger action
The study urged governments to take targeted action in high-risk urban areas such as the Musi.
It recommended intercepting and treating open drains before they enter the river. The researchers also called for advanced wastewater treatment at industrial clusters and regular monitoring of antimicrobial resistance in polluted river stretches.Scientists from the SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Masaryk University, the University of Nebraska, and the University of Lodz conducted the study.