TY - JOUR
T1 - COVID-19 drugs
T2 - A critical review of physicochemical properties and removal methods in water
AU - Chen, Zihe
AU - Xu, Jiani
AU - Li, Cong
AU - Su, Jingzhen
AU - Bian, Yulin
AU - Kim, Hyunook
AU - Lu, Jinfeng
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2025
PY - 2025/2
Y1 - 2025/2
N2 - In the post-Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) era, the presence of COVID-19 drugs in the environment has garnered significant attention. These drugs persist in aquatic environments due to their photostability and biological activity. In Wuhan, China, the concentration of chloroquine in surface water reached 20,00 ng/L during the COVID-19 outbreak [1]. Lopinavir, ritonavir, abacavir, zidovudine, efavirenz, nevirapine, lamivudine, and telbivudine have all been detected in aquatic environments [2,3]. This study provides a comprehensive overview of the physicochemical properties and chemical structures of COVID-19 drugs. It reviews and summarizes the removal techniques for these drugs, including biological methods, advanced oxidation processes, and physical treatment technologies. The concept of “COVID-19 specific drugs” is introduced, highlighting their anticipated long-term use in the treatment of COVID-19. Additionally, this study presents a novel analysis of the removal mechanisms of ferrate for COVID-19 drugs and explores future research directions in wastewater treatment technologies for the post-COVID-19 era.
AB - In the post-Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) era, the presence of COVID-19 drugs in the environment has garnered significant attention. These drugs persist in aquatic environments due to their photostability and biological activity. In Wuhan, China, the concentration of chloroquine in surface water reached 20,00 ng/L during the COVID-19 outbreak [1]. Lopinavir, ritonavir, abacavir, zidovudine, efavirenz, nevirapine, lamivudine, and telbivudine have all been detected in aquatic environments [2,3]. This study provides a comprehensive overview of the physicochemical properties and chemical structures of COVID-19 drugs. It reviews and summarizes the removal techniques for these drugs, including biological methods, advanced oxidation processes, and physical treatment technologies. The concept of “COVID-19 specific drugs” is introduced, highlighting their anticipated long-term use in the treatment of COVID-19. Additionally, this study presents a novel analysis of the removal mechanisms of ferrate for COVID-19 drugs and explores future research directions in wastewater treatment technologies for the post-COVID-19 era.
KW - Advanced oxidation
KW - Antiviral drugs
KW - Biological treatment
KW - Covid-19 pandemic
KW - Water treatment
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85214467968
U2 - 10.1016/j.jece.2025.115310
DO - 10.1016/j.jece.2025.115310
M3 - Review article
AN - SCOPUS:85214467968
SN - 2213-2929
VL - 13
JO - Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering
JF - Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering
IS - 1
M1 - 115310
ER -