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Researchers at the University of York headed a major internationalreview aimed at enhancing efforts to better understand the impactsof chemicals used in pharmaceuticals or in personal care products,such as cosmetics, soaps, perfumes, deodorants and toothpastes(PPCPs), on the natural environment. Over the last two decades, scientists and regulators have raisedconcerns over the potential environmental effects and risks of the4,000 pharmaceuticals and substantial number of personal careproducts that are used by society. Following use, these substances can be released to the sewer systemand can end up in rivers, aquifers and soils. Many PPCPs have beendetected in the natural environment across the world. Thoughreported concentrations are generally low, some people are worriedthat, due to the biological activity of these substances, theycould be adversely affecting the health of the environment and mayalso be getting into drinking water supplies. The researchers in the University of York's Environment Department,working with academic, government and industry colleagues in theUSA, Canada, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, S. Korea and Argentinaidentified key outstanding issues regarding the effects on humanand ecological health in order that future resources will befocused on the most important areas. Their findings are publishedin the latest issue of Environmental Health Perspectives. They developed a 'Top 20' list of questions about issues that needto be addressed to better understand and manage the risks of PPCPsin the environment. An international expert workshop reduced aninitial list of 101 potential questions to a final 20 ranked byimportance. The top 20 questions fell into seven categories: Identification of PPCPs and situations that research should befocussed on Understanding how PPCPs get into the natural environment Uptake of PPCPs from the environment into organisms Assessment of effects on organisms Assessment of risks to people and the environment Antibiotic resistance Management of risks Professor Alistair Boxall, of the Environment Department at York,who led the review, said: "A large body of information is nowavailable on PPCPs in the environment. This exercise hasprioritised the most critical questions to aid in development offuture research programmes and policy development on this importanttopic The development of the 'top 20 list' should mean thatresearchers, regulators and industry can begin to work more closelytogether to answer the most pressing questions in a coordinated andtimely manner." Additional References Citations. The e-commerce company in China offers quality products such as Video Game Accessories , Modern Islamic Clothing, and more. For more , please visit Haji Player today!
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