{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1693428,
        "msgid": "fish-in-rivers-contaminated-with-opioids-and-antidepressants-due-to-human-waste-1776844324",
        "date": "2026-04-22 14:00:00",
        "title": "Fish in Rivers Contaminated with Opioids and Antidepressants Due to Human Waste",
        "author": "Thalatie Kaprina Yani",
        "source": "MEDIA_INDONESIA",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Regulation",
        "summary": "A recent study in Canada's Grand River has revealed that wild fish downstream from wastewater treatment plants are accumulating residues of pharmaceuticals, including opioids like fentanyl and methadone, and antidepressants like venlafaxine, highlighting the limitations of current treatment systems in filtering out these compounds. Researchers used darter fish as sentinel species to detect these contaminants, finding higher concentrations in males and certain species, which could impact aquatic ecosystems through neuroactive effects on behaviour and reproduction. The findings, published in Environmental Pollution, underscore the need for enhanced monitoring and advanced wastewater technologies, with implications for Indonesia's growing water treatment business sector.",
        "content": "<p>A recent study in Canada has uncovered alarming findings in\nfreshwater ecosystems. Wild fish living downstream from wastewater\ntreatment facilities were found to contain residues of illicit drugs and\npharmaceuticals, including opioids and antidepressants, in their body\ntissues.<\/p>\n<p>Research conducted in the Grand River watershed in southern Ontario\nshows that current wastewater treatment systems are not fully capable of\nfiltering out all traces of human drug use.<\/p>\n<p>Dr Diana M. C\u00e1rdenas-Sorac\u00e1, a postdoctoral researcher at the\nUniversity of Waterloo, has demonstrated that these chemicals not only\npollute the water but have also transferred into the living tissues of\nfish. Based on screening results, consistently detected substances\ninclude fentanyl, methadone, venlafaxine, and venlafaxine\nbyproducts.<\/p>\n<p>The study used darter fish as subjects because this species tends to\nremain in a small area, making it a \u201csentinel species\u201d or accurate\nindicator for detecting local environmental changes.<\/p>\n<p>Most wastewater treatment systems are designed to filter human waste,\nnutrients, and pathogens. However, small drug molecules often remain\ndissolved and are released into rivers daily.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis research highlights the importance of developing sensitive\nanalytical methods to monitor emerging contaminants and improve our\nability to assess potential impacts on aquatic ecosystems,\u201d said\nC\u00e1rdenas-Sorac\u00e1.<\/p>\n<p>Data collected in May 2024 shows patterns of chemical accumulation.\nMale fish were found to carry higher drug concentrations than females.\nResearchers suspect this is because female fish had recently released\nfat-rich eggs, which likely carried out previously stored chemicals from\ntheir fat tissues.<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, the fantail darter species recorded the highest levels\nof fentanyl and venlafaxine among others. Differences in lifestyle and\nbottom-river habitats are thought to influence the degree of chemical\nexposure each fish receives.<\/p>\n<p>Although this study has not directly tested whether these drugs make\nthe fish ill or alter their reproductive behaviour, scientists issue a\nstrong warning. Neuroactive compounds like antidepressants in other\nstudies have been linked to changes in feeding, movement, and stress\nresponses in fish.<\/p>\n<p>These findings, published in the journal Environmental Pollution, are\nexpected to encourage relevant authorities to enhance monitoring of new\ncontaminants entering the environment to protect freshwater ecosystem\nhealth.<\/p>\n<p>Based on this data, Indonesia has significant potential for growth in\nthe water treatment business.<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/fish-in-rivers-contaminated-with-opioids-and-antidepressants-due-to-human-waste-1776844324",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}