Using the fish plasma model to evaluate potential effects of pharmaceuticals in effluent from a large urban wastewater treatment plant.

Several pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) were evaluated using the fish plasma model (FPM) for juvenile Chinook salmon exposed to effluent from a large urban wastewater treatment plant. The FPM compares fish plasma concentrations to therapeutic values determined in human plasma as an indication of potential adverse effects. We used human C values, which are the maximum plasma concentration for a minimum therapeutic dose.