Pharmaceutical waste management at the residential level :a case study of administrative Beirut area -

Abstract

Global concerns over the improper management of pharmaceutical wastes generated at the residential level have amplified during the past years, bringing about an international awakening on their potential harmful effects on the receiving environment and human health. A multitude of published literature has presented evidence of detectable concentrations of pharmaceutical compounds in treated wastewater and in water resources. Nationally, very scant data, if any, is available on the presence of pharmaceutical chemicals and their concentrations in raw and treated effluent, or surface and groundwater resources from domestic sources. This research project focuses on the management of human-use pharmaceutical wastes generated at the residential level within the Administrative Beirut Area. It is a first attempt at exploring the most commonly used types and quantities of medications, consumers’ behaviors, attitudes and perceptions regarding the management of pharmaceutical waste, and finding factors influencing individuals’ behaviors and preferences for future collection programs. The significance of this project resides in providing baseline quantitative information from which further research studies can continue and build on. Results revealed that the majority of respondents were found to dispose of their unwanted medications, mainly through the domestic solid waste stream. Household yearly expenditure on medications and the respondents’ belief in the need for a pharmaceutical waste collection system were found to increase on average the odds of a respondent’s willingness to participate in a future collection program. The odds of those who stated a willingness to participate and those who thought there is a need for legislation to regulate household pharmaceutical waste management, were also on average more likely to participate in a future collection program for a fixed fee as compared to those who thought otherwise. Younger respondents were found to be more likely to re-gift their unwanted m