Carbamazepine

Detailed information

Fass environmental information

Fass environmental information Tegretol (carbamazepine) from Novartis (downloaded 2023-03-28).

Hazard

Persistence: "DT₅₀ (total system) = 328 days (OECD 308). Based on the fact that carbamazepine is not readily biodegradable and according to the pass criteria for OECD308 studies, carbamazepine can be classified as ‘Carbamazepine is potentially persistent.’ (DT₅₀ for total system > 120 days)." The database, Pharmaceuticals and Environment, reference group believes that based on these results, a drug substance is persistent and not potentially persistent, hence the information that carbamazepine is persistent in the initial summary information.

Bioaccumulation: Log K_ow = 1.51 – 1.58 (OECD107).

Toxicity: There are data for 3 trophic levels, most sensitive crustacean NOEC 25 microg/L.

Risk

PEC/PNEC is based on sales data in Sweden in year 2018. PEC/PNEC = 0.30532 which gives the risk low.

Report from Goodpoint

Carbamazepine is very persistent in the environment, but has a low potential for biooaccumulation. There is very good knowledge about the occurrence of water in Sweden. The reports that claim low-level effects have significant deficiencies. Low risk of environmental impact out of credible data.

Pharmaceuticals residues in the aquatic environment in Region Stockholm and in other parts of Sweden

Carbamazepine has been detected in treated wastewater, surface water and drinking water in Region Stockholm.

On the candidate list for the groundwater directive

Carbamazepine is listed as a candidate for Annex I or II of the Groundwater Directive.

Carbamazepine in caddisfly larvae

Carbamazepine has been detected in caddisfly larvae.