Clotrimazole
Definition of clotrimazole:
Clotrimazole is a pharmaceutical. It's mainly used to treat dermatological and gynaecological fungal infections[1].
This is the common definition for clotrimazole, other definitions can be discussed in the article
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Notes
| Clotrimazole |
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| Formula |
| C22H17ClN2 |
Approximately 10 tonnes are produced in the EU each year, and almost the same quantity is imported. The main potential source of clotrimazole to the environment is discharges from municipal waste water treatment plants as a result of waste water from households.[1]
Clotrimazole has a low water solubility (0,49 mg/l). It is considered a persistent substance which shows little or no biodegradability and has a low to moderate tendency to bioacumulate.
Clotrimazole is a toxic substance for aquatic organisms. Concentrations of only 20 µg/l cause lethal effects on crustaceans. Fish can tolerate short exposures to concentrations bellow 0,29 mg/l although they might be affected by prolonged exposure to clotrimazole concentrations of 0,025 mg/l. In rats, doses of 50 mg per kg body weight caused a reduced survival rate of pups[1]. Microalgal communities might be extremely sensitive to the substance. Concentrations of 17 ng/l might already have adverse effects on algae and concentrations of 3,5 µg/l cause visual effects on community growth[2].
The highest concentration measured in estuaries is 22 ng/l, the median is 7ng/l.
In 2005 OSPAR considered it unnecessary to propose measures for the reduction of discharges of clotrimazole[1].
Environmental standards and legislation
Included in the OSPAR list of substances of priority action
See also
OSPAR background document on clotrimazole
References
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