Chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine in the environment and aquatic organisms: a review

Abstract

Chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine are aminoquinolines used in the treatment of endemic diseases in Latin America such as malaria and non-endemic with wide prevalence such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus erythematosus. Described as persistent, bioaccumulative, and dangerous for aquatic biota, chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine are considered emerging pollutants intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic, occurring in low concentrations that are not totally removed in wastewater treatment plants and are not covered by legislation. This article presents a theoretical approach based on literature review following a semi-systematic methodology covering detection strategies of the chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine drugs in effluent and receiving water bodies; estimates of environmental concentrations during the pandemic; methods that use degradation and removal of compounds from water; and toxic effects on aquatic biota. Concentrations previously detected and estimated in the aquatic environment can lead to significant changes in animal physiology analyzed from biomarker changes, behavior and mortality in studies with native and non-native species. Studies are necessary to reproduce and understand possible environmental scenarios adopting the indiscriminate use of drugs to serve as standards for environmentally safe concentrations when there is no specific legislation.

Keywords: COVID-19, emerging pollutants, toxicity.