Pharmaceuticals in Agricultural Soils as Emerging Non-Conventional Agrochemicals: Environmental Fate, Plant Uptake and Food Safety Implications

Abstract

Pharmaceutical contamination in agricultural environments has become an increasing concern at the intersection of environmental sustainability, food security, and public health. The growing reuse of reclaimed wastewater (RWW), the application of biosolids, and intensive livestock production practices have contributed to the continuous release of pharmaceutically active compounds into agricultural soils worldwide. Although these substances are not intentionally applied in crop production systems, their persistent presence and biological activity have led to their recognition as emerging non-conventional agrochemicals. Once introduced into agroecosystems, pharmaceuticals may undergo sorption, degradation, and transformation, as well as interactions with soil microorganisms, while still remaining potentially available for plant uptake and transfer into the food chain. Various pharmaceutical classes, including antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, antidepressants, antiepileptics, and hormones, have been detected in soils and edible crops at variable concentrations, depending on environmental conditions, soil properties, and plant physiological characteristics. In this context, this narrative review aims to analyze the origin of this contamination in agricultural soils, the physicochemical mechanisms that determine the environmental persistence of pharmaceuticals, as well as their absorption by plants, and the consequent impact on food security and the One Health model. It further proposes pharmaceuticals as a novel class of non-conventional agrochemicals unintentionally entering food production systems and discusses current regulatory challenges, mitigation strategies, and future research priorities needed to support sustainable agricultural management and safer resource reuse practices.