Influent wastewater analysis to investigate emerging trends of new psychoactive substances use in Europe.
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.