How to maintain PNEC Level?
The predicted no-effect concentration (PNEC) of a drug in any environment is the concentration below which harmful effects are unlikely to occur after long- or short-term exposure. PNECs are compared to actual or expected environmental concentrations (PEC) in environmental risk assessment to evaluate if a substance's risk is acceptable or not. If PEC/PNECs1 are present, the risk is tolerable.
What are the three methods for calculating PNEC?
PNECs are typically derived by dividing toxicological dose descriptors by a factor of assessment. The most often used endpoints for determining PNECs are mortality (LC50), growth (ECx or NOEC), and reproduction (ECx or NOEC).
LC50/EC50 (Median Lethal Concentration/Median Effective Concentration): These are the concentrations that result in 50% death or blockage of a function (e.g. growth or growth rate). Short-term eco-toxicology investigations are often used to get them.
NOEC (No Observed Effect Concentration): The maximum measured concentration with no statistically significant difference in effect when compared to the control group. Long-term eco-toxicology investigations are often used to get it. In certain investigations, only the LOEC (lowest observed effect concentration) can be provided; in this instance, NOEC can be computed as LOEC/2.
ECx: It is the concentration at which an x percent (10 percent for EC10) effect was seen or derived statistically when compared to the control group. Long-term eco-toxicity studies are often used to get it.
Why are PNEC levels so important when considering AMR?
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is on the rise globally, owing to increased access to antibiotics in underdeveloped nations. AMR might cause 10 million deaths per year by 2050, according to World Health Organization projections.
The AMR Industry Alliance, which brings together biotech, diagnostics, generics, and research-based pharmaceutical businesses to drive and assess industry efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance, is one industry organization working to reverse this.
This is accomplished through vaccine research, innovating novel medicines and dosage forms, educating patients and practitioners on antibiotic usage, and ensuring manufacturing chains manage the discharge of antibiotics into wastewater.
Why set PNEC levels now?
From the standpoint of Environmental Health and Safety, it is prudent to establish PNEC levels today, putting in place a risk-based strategy to wastewater treatment before laws are implemented.
Only India now has draft laws in the works to limit PNECs in wastewater, but other nations will undoubtedly follow suit.
In any event, establishing PNEC levels sooner rather than later will provide a baseline for new or updated industrial processes or wastewater recycling.
Efforts are being made to attain appropriate PNEC levels in wastewater
The PNEC value is expressed in parts per billion or trillion. Specialized water treatment is frequently necessary to reach certain levels. Fortunately, many water and waste water treatment companies can develop technologies for the global fight against AMR and can be lowered to undetectable levels in wastewater.
Very few water treatment methods are now available to build-in or retrofit into manufacturing lines that can produce these low levels; most other systems rely on hydroxyl OH* radicals that destroy contaminants in the water indiscriminately. Lower concentrations lessen the likelihood of the hydroxyl hitting with the pollutant, making them ineffective when aiming to supply equal 'below detectable levels' of concentration.
Nonetheless, some method avoids this by adsorbing the pollutant onto the treatment medium before passing electricity through it, mineralizing it and attaining very low objectives - in parts per billion - when necessary.
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