Wastewater-based epidemiology in low Human Development Index states: bias in consumption monitoring of illicit drugs.
Environmental science and pollution research international October 1, 2018 Damien A Devault, Hadrien Maguet, Sylvie Merle et al. 23 citations
Wastewater-based epidemiology, which monitors community drug use by analyzing sewage, is expanding from well-managed networks in developed countries to non-advanced economies. This review provides toxicokinetic data for locally used narcotic drugs expected to emerge in developed nations, outlines excretion differences due to human genetic variation, and summarizes practical obstacles such as sewer coverage, maintenance efficiency, and network type. A case study from Martinique shows compliance with OECD health standards but not with population and urban dynamics, highlighting challenges for accurate monitoring in the global south.