Water research X
May 1, 2023
Richard Bade, Nikolaos Rousis, Sangeet Adhikari et al.
47 citations
An international wastewater surveillance program analyzed influent samples from up to 47 sites in 16 countries between 2019 and 2022, detecting 18 new psychoactive substances (NPS) across at least one site. Synthetic cathinones were the most common class, followed by phenethylamines and designer benzodiazepines. Two ketamine analogues, the plant-based NPS mitragynine, and methiopropamine were also quantified. Use varied by region: mitragynine mass loads were highest in US sites, eutylone increased in New Zealand, and 3-methylmethcathinone rose in several European countries. The ketamine analogue 2F-deschloroketamine emerged recently and was quantified in sites including one in China, where it is considered a drug of most concern. Some NPS initially detected in specific regions spread to additional sites over time, demonstrating that wastewater surveillance can reveal temporal and spatial trends in NPS use.
Water research
May 1, 2024
Noelia Salgueiro-Gonzalez, Frederic Béen, Lubertus Bijlsma et al.
46 citations
Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) can provide objective and timely information on the use of new psychoactive substances (NPS), originally designed as legal alternatives to internationally controlled drugs. NPS have rapidly emerged on the global drug market, posing a challenge to drug policy and a risk to public health. A WBE approach monitored over 300 NPS, plus fentanyl and norfentanyl, in influent wastewater from 12 European cities during March–June 2021. Fentanyl, norfentanyl, and eight NPS were quantified, with at least three substances found in each city. N,N-dimethyltryptamine and 3-methylmethcathinone (3-MMC) were the most common; 3-MMC had the highest mass loads, up to 24.8 mg/day/1000 inhabitants. Spatial trends and a changing weekly profile for 3-MMC were observed. WBE is a useful tool to complement common indicators for public health protection.
Water research
May 15, 2025
Natan Van Wichelen, Tim Boogaerts, Maarten Quireyns et al.
4 citations
Ketamine use is widespread across northern Belgium, with consumption levels 7 to 11 times higher in 2023 than in 2012. Analysis of wastewater from 26 locations in Flanders and Brussels detected ketamine in 98% of samples, its metabolite norketamine in 96%, and dehydronorketamine in 76%. Higher population-normalized mass loads appeared in major cities and eastern Flanders. Weekend consumption increased, suggesting recreational use, while no seasonal trends were observed. By examining the ratio of ketamine to norketamine, researchers distinguished actual consumption from direct disposal. The findings indicate a stable, year-round pattern of ketamine use, and future monitoring should measure both parent drug and metabolite to avoid misinterpreting dumping events.