Abstract:
Pharmaceuticals have undoubtedly lengthened life spans, cured millions from deadly diseases, and made life comfortable and free from pain. This very success has now led to their emergence as rapidly growing environmental pollutants and contaminants. Acetaminophen (4’-hudroxyacetanilide, or N-acetyl-p-aminophenol) commonly known as paracetamol, is amongst the most popular pain killers and widely used analgesic and antipyretic drug which is used for relieving pain and fever as a non-prescription drug, worldwide. Such huge consumption all over the world can be expected to result in the contamination of the environment and threat to human health. Its presence has been found in the environment which has been detected drinking water, waste water and sewage treatment plant effluents. Although chemical oxidation process is done for the treatment of waste water to remove acetaminophen but severe reaction conditions, production of secondary pollutants as by products and huge operational expenses associated, leave no choice but to find other methods of treatment. Biodegradation of pharmaceuticals by microorganisms is now being considered as an environment friendly alternative which has bearable cost. The widespread use of acetaminophen, other pharmaceutical and the scarcity of parallel and safe alternatives, its impact on the environment and on human health deserves further attention. The main aim is develop comprehensive understanding on the percolation of paracetamol in environment through uncontrolled usage its toxic effects and proposed metabolic pathways of its sustainable degradation.
Keywords: Acetaminophen; Rational Usage, Behavioural Disorders; Biodegradation; Aquatic Environment.
Biography:
Dr. Neha Agarwal is currently serving as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Navyug Kanya Mahavidyalaya, affiliated with the University of Lucknow, Lucknow, India. She holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Lucknow and has successfully qualified the prestigious national-level examinations UGC-CSIR-NET and GATE in Chemical Sciences. Dr. Agarwal has made significant contributions to scientific research, with numerous research papers and review articles published in reputed Scopus-indexed international journals. An active innovator, she has published seven design patents and has contributed extensively to academic publishing. She has edited several scholarly books for renowned international publishers, including CRC Press, Springer Nature, Nova Science Publishers, Apple Academic Press, and Bentham Science Publishers. She is also the author of three undergraduate textbooks aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) curriculum.
Her research interests focus on environmental chemistry, nanotechnology, wastewater treatment, green synthesis, and sustainable chemistry, with particular emphasis on the environmental fate and remediation of organic pollutants such as pharmaceuticals, dyes, and pesticides through eco-friendly and sustainable approaches. Dr. Agarwal is an active member of the global scientific community and holds professional and lifetime memberships in several prestigious organizations, including the Singapore National Institute of Chemistry (SNIC), International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC), and the Association of Chemistry Teachers (ACT), India. She also serves as a reviewer and editorial board member for several reputed international journals and publishers. In recognition of her outstanding contributions to research, higher education, academic leadership, and scientific innovation, Dr. Agarwal has received numerous awards. Among her most prestigious honors is the Teacher Excellence Award, conferred by the Hon'ble Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Smt. Anandiben Patel, during the 69th Convocation of the University of Lucknow, acknowledging her exceptional contributions to teaching, research, and academic excellence.
