Table 6.
Comparison of pharmaceutical levels detected in surface water in First Nations participating in the FNFNES with findings from other Canadian, American, and global studies*
| Pharmaceutical detected | FNFNES max (ng/L) | Canada max (ng/L) | USA max (ng/L) | Global max (ng/L) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analgesic/anti-inflammatory | ||||
| Acetaminophen | 307 | 3500a, SK | 10,000b | 106,970c, Kenya |
| Antacid | ||||
| Cimetidine | 40.9 | 5.33g, ON | 688h, IA | 1338i, Korea |
| Antibiotic | ||||
| Sulfamethoxazole | 87.0 | 600a, SK | 3280h, IA | 252,082j, Vietnam |
| Anticonvulsant | ||||
| Carbamazepine | 91.5 | 749k, ON | 3480l, NJ | 276,000m, Hungary |
| Antidiabetic | ||||
| Metformin | 6210 | 10,100g, ON | 34,000n, OH | 20,015o, China |
| Antihypertensive (beta-blocker) | ||||
| Atenolol | 245 | 204g, ON | 1,850p, CO | 39,100q South Africa |
| Nicotine metabolite | ||||
| Cotinine | 90 | 189r, AB | 1400s, AZ | 6582t, Spain |
| Oral contraceptive | ||||
| 17α-Ethinylestradiol | 0.74 | 3.1w, QC | 431p, CO | 5900x, Brazil |
| Stimulant | ||||
| Caffeine | 4018 | 1960g, ON | 7110u, MD | 1,121,446v, Costa Rica |
*Only the most prevalent pharmaceuticals found in the FNFNES are presented here. For a more detailed comparison of all 35 pharmaceuticals found in the FNFNES, see Chan et al. (2019)
aWaiser et al. (2011); bKolpin et al. (2002); cK’oreje et al. (2016); dBrun et al. (2006); eBenotti and Brownawell (2009); fGumbi et al. (2017); gde Solla et al. (2016); hBradley et al. (2014); iChoi et al. (2018); jThai et al. (2018); kKleywegt et al. (2011); lRoden (2013); mBókony et al. (2018); nElliott et al. (2018); oKong et al. (2015); pBai et al. (2018); qAgunbiade and Moodley (2014); rSosiak and Hebben (2005); sChiu and Westerhoff (2010); tValcárcel et al. (2011); uYoung et al. (2008); vSpongberg et al. (2011); wEnvironment Canada (2012); xSodré et al. (2018)