SMARTPEM

Gadolinium (Gd)-based contrast agents are organometallic complexes, extensively used for diagnostic purposes in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Since their approval in 1980's, they have become indispensable for diagnostic imaging and are currently being used in 33-50% of the MRI investigations Apart from their tremendous contribution in disease diagnostic, there are several issues related to their use. After administration, the Gd-based contrast agents are excreted unmetabolized and a significant amount is present in hospital effluents and, consequently, in wastewaters. They are very stable non-biodegradable complexes, and they pass the wastewater treatment plants without major removal, being discharged into surface and ground waters, rivers, lakes and oceans. This type of Gd contamination is called anthropogenic Gd, meaning it is the result of human activity. Many instances of anthropogenic Gd anomalies have been identified and documented worldwide. Gd presence in tap water and tap..