Chlorination of Antibiotics

Found in Wastewater

Presenter: Lauren Curlee

Presenter Status: Undergraduate student

Department: Chemistry

Screenshot URL: https://drive.google.com/uc?id=18ZVWHZ4wNUKwEStignfn0Zcq-YE0tg-r

Abstract:
The over-prescription of antibiotics is a problem in both the United States and globally. This over-prescription and subsequent waste results in diluted concentrations of antibiotics in our wastewater treatment plants. These antibiotics are commonly chlorinated in the treatment process. We initially planned on utilizing HPLC and GCMS to determine byproducts of commonly used agricultural antibiotics after the chlorination process but have had to transition to literature-based research. We now plan on examining the products resulting from the chlorination of azithromycin which is one of the most commonly prescribed antibiotics. Because the chlorination of azithromycin is a known reaction, we will be able to determine each products' toxicity if any, and possible environmental impact.