Number

292-EN

Section

General Section

Use

Abstract

Certain pharmaceuticals including some cytostatics are carcinogenic, mutagenic, teratogenic and fetotoxic. Cytostatics and their metabolites are excreted by patients into waste water. In laboratory testing, the frequently used isomeric anti-tumour agent Ifosfamide was shown to be non- biodegradable. It is not eliminated in municipal sewage treatment plants, and therefore passes into the effluent. Structural modified compounds like Glufosfamide are still active against tumours, and in contrast to Ifosfamide are inherently biodegradable.

Substituted substances

Alternative Substances

Reliability of information

Evidence of implementation: there is evidence that the solution was implemented and in use at time of publication

Reason substitution

CMR

Hazard Assessment

Substance to be substituted: Ifosfamide is not listed in the SUBSPORTplus Database and has no harmonised classification according to Annex VI of Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP Regulation). Alternative substance: Glufosfamide has no harmonised classification according to Annex VI of Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP Regulation)is not listed in the SUBSPORTplus Database, but it is bio-degradable.

Description of Substitution

This case story shows the modification of non-degradable carcinogens cytostatic Ifosfamide in wastewater treatment plants. Glufosfamide is a new modified solution. Glufosfamide is an alkylating agent in which isophosphoramide mustard, the alkylating metabolite of Ifosfamide, is linked to beta-D-glucose (b-D-Glu-IPM). Professor Kümmerer has examined Glufosfamide in regard to biodegradation. Improved biodegradability of Glufosfamide compared to Ifosfamide shows that reduced impact of pharmaceuticals on the aquatic environment is feasible, by changing the chemical structure of a given compound exerting a similar mode of action and therapeutic activity. Stereochemistry is most often crucial for pharmaceutical activity of the compounds, as well as for its biodegradability in the environment. The example presented here also represents a tremendous economic potential. The European Parliament and the EU Commission in the 6th Environmental Action Programme (2002-2012) formulated a sub-goal that the new generation of chemicals should have no negative impact on the environment. The Council of Environmental Advisors expects an increase in innovation for substitutes and environmentally-friendly and healthy products.

Case/substitution evaluation

The non-biodegradable cytostatic can be substituted with a safer and bio-degradable alternative.

State of implementation

In use

Date and place of implementation

2011 in USA, in some EU-countries

Availability ofAlternative

on the market

Producer/Provider

http://www.theradex.com/

Type of information supplier

Research

Publication source: author, company, institute, year

K. Kümmerer (2009) Nachhaltige Chemikalien – Stabil und abbaubar. HighChem hautnah - Aktuelles zur Nachhaltigen Chemie. Gesellschaft DEer Chemiker

Publication source

Type of publication and availability

http://archiv.aktuelle-wochenschau.de/2008/woche15/woche15.html

Date, reviewed

November 26, 2021