Wine Waste Turned Into Water Filters to Tackle Pharma Pollution

A new study seeks to promote the recycling of winemaking biomass to help remediate water bodies polluted by pharmaceutical waste. Pharmaceutical pollution poses a threat to environmental health, potentially harming both humans and aquatic species exposed to contaminated water sources.

Astrid Guadalupe Cortés, PhD student in Environmental Sciences, and Claudia Romo, Researcher, both from Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo (UAEH), are tackling this issue by developing a sustainable material derived from grape harvest waste generated during wine production. The project has a dual objective: to protect water resources and provide economic benefits for Mexico’s agricultural sector.

Cortés has proposed producing this sustainable material through controlled, oxygen-free heating, a process that transforms winemaking byproducts into highly porous activated carbon. This carbon is capable of absorbing pharmaceutical molecules such as diclofenac and paracetamol. The technique is more affordable than traditional methods and reduces environmental impact by adding value to industrial waste. Moreover, the resulting materials can be adapted to various filtration systems, ranging from large-scale urban treatment plants to community-based solutions in rural areas, showcasing their versatility and scalability.

Romo pointed out that grape producers often acquire nearby land to dispose of waste during the wine harvest. This practice leads to pest infestations, while the incineration of organic matter contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. “Creating a compound from this so-called waste could help local or national producers generate economic gains and create new jobs, thereby positively impacting regional development,” she noted.

Researchers propose that the material be used to treat wastewater from hospitals or the pharmaceutical industry to mitigate the impact of these emerging contaminants on aquifers. At the same time, they aim to foster a circular economy within the country’s wine-producing regions.

Scientists emphasized that the implementation of this kind of material could improve water quality in regions with limited access to costly technologies, contributing to the availability, sustainable management, and sanitation of this vital resource for all people, in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

Where Do Pharmaceutical Pollutants Come From and Where Do They Go?

The cycle of pharmaceutical contamination begins when individuals naturally excrete drug residues, which then enter the sewage system. These substances go through water treatment processes that are not always capable of fully removing them, allowing pharmaceutical traces to reach both surface and groundwater sources.

A study led by an international team of researchers from the University of York in the United Kingdom, published by the US National Academy of Sciences, found that more than one-quarter of the world’s rivers contain potentially toxic levels of prescription and over-the-counter medications. The study monitored 1,052 sampling sites along 258 rivers in 104 countries across all continents, measuring the presence of 61 pharmaceutical compounds.

After analyzing the samples, researchers found that the highest cumulative concentrations were located in Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and South America. The city of Lahore, Pakistan, recorded the highest average concentration, followed by La Paz, Bolivia, and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The most polluted sites were typically located in regions with middle-aged populations and low-to-middle income levels, often associated with poor wastewater and waste management infrastructure.

Itzel Yolotzin López, Researcher at the Water Center, Tecnologico de Monterrey, explained that this situation has become a global environmental issue. Because of the persistence of these contaminants in water systems, they can have serious consequences for humans and wildlife alike. Based on laboratory studies involving mice, fish, and plants, researchers have found evidence of reproductive alterations, behavioral changes, growth disruptions, shorter lifespans, and reduced survival rates. “Developing technology to remove these pollutants from water bodies is of utmost importance,” she stated.