Friday, July 17, 2026

11:15 AM - 1:15 PM

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Details

This symposium will explore the critical link between human and planetary health, focusing on the emerging threat that pharmaceutical pollution poses to ecosystems and human well-being. Medicines can persist in the environment (e.g., wastewater, soil), bioaccumulating through food webs and potentially disrupting biodiversity. Molecular targets for human drugs are often conserved across species, and therefore, pharmaceuticals designed for human use can elicit harmful responses in non-target species, especially aquatic organisms. These ecological disturbances can affect species diversity and planetary health. Similarly, pollutants like plastic chemicals can interfere with physiological signalling in both human and non-human species, exacerbating health risks. This symposium will discuss the need for innovative solutions to reduce bioactive contaminants alongside sustainable healthcare education and practices to promote a healthier future for humans and the environment.

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Session chair