Toxicologia Ambiental e Analítica

Occurrence, Ecotoxicology, and Treatment of Anticancer Agents as Water Contaminants

Abstract

Hao Xie*

Anticancer agents as water contaminants belong to a general class of pharmaceuticals and personal care products as pollutants (PPCPs) that are widely present in the environment. They are less studied compared to other PPCPs in the past two decades. However, the cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, and endocrine disruption of these agents mar more concerning adverse effects on the environment and human health. Here, we review different classes of anticancer agents as emerging water contaminants, their occurrence in various waterbodies, the ecotoxicology, and the strategies for their treatment.