A target and suspect screening approach as been applied to assess the presence of 900 pharmaceuticals and illicit drugs in Amazonian freshwaters. Our study identified 51 different compounds, with the highest prevalence of contaminants in streams crossing the urban areas of Manaus, Macapá and Belém. Most compounds in the identified list are analgesics and antihypertensives. Our study has been published in the journal Water Research, and shows the first evidence of pharmaceuticals being widespread contaminants in Amazonian freshwater ecosystems. Follow-up studies will be dedicated to better understand exposure patterns and risks for Amazonian biodiversity.
