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.
Water research
December 1, 2025
Yasar Arafath Sharfudeen, Minjin Kim, Donghyun Kim et al.
Methamphetamine was the most frequently detected drug in South Korean wastewater, with the highest consumption at a casino (18 mg/day/1000 people) and in certain rural areas with a high proportion of foreign residents (up to 32 mg/day/1000 people). Amphetamine was predominantly found in U.S. military areas (16 mg/day/1000 people), consistent with therapeutic use. The airport showed the greatest drug diversity, including elevated levels of MDMA, ketamine, and cocaine. Two novel psychoactive substances, 25D-NBOMe and 25E-NBOMe, were identified for the first time in South Korean wastewater, exclusively at the casino. These site-specific patterns highlight the value of wastewater-based epidemiology for targeted public health strategies.