Seasonal profile of common pharmaceuticals in edible bivalve molluscs.

Pharmaceuticals are recognised as environmental contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) due to their increasing presence in the aquatic environment, along with high bioactivity linked to their therapeutic use. Therefore, information on environmental levels is urgently required. This study examined the presence of a range of common pharmaceuticals in oysters and mussels intended for human consumption from England and Wales using stable isotope dilution tandem mass spectrometry. A range of compounds were detected in bivalve tissue, with the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor antidepressant sertraline being most abundant, reaching a maximum concentration of 22.1 ng/g wet weight shellfish tissue. Levels of all pharmaceuticals showed seasonal and geographical patterns. A dietary risk assessment revealed that the levels of pharmaceuticals identified in bivalve molluscs represent a clear hazard, but not a risk for the consumer. This study highlights the requirement for further monitoring of the presence of pharmaceuticals and other CECs in bivalve molluscs. • Common prescription pharmaceuticals are present in bivalve molluscs within the UK. • Antidepressants are the commonest class of compounds of those monitored, with sertraline the predominant compound. • Levels of sertraline detected here are the highest concentrations reported in marine bivalve molluscs worldwide. • Seasonal and spatial variability in concentrations of detected compounds • Dietary risk assessment suggests no present concern to the human consumer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]