The Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences of the University of Trieste is organising a public interdisciplinary event on Wednesday 14th May in the conference hall of the Urban Center of Trieste (Corso Cavour, 2/2), to explore the health impact of the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and to highlight the importance of increasingly careful environmental monitoring, including through the control of urban wastewater from treatment plants.

Experts from the Departments of Medical Sciences and Life Sciences of the University of Trieste will take part in the event, along with representatives from the pharmacovigilance unit of the Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia and from the wastewater treatment management of the multiservice company AcegasApsAmga.

The event will present data on the extent and evolution of pharmaceutical consumption, particularly antibiotics, providing the basis for estimating the significance of their presence in the region. Following their use, pharmaceuticals are in fact released into the environment: current analytical approaches make it possible to detect their presence in wastewater, groundwater, surface water, and marine environments. The discussion will also address new challenges for the protection of health and the environment in light of the new European directive on wastewater issued in December 2024.

After the concluding debate, moderated by journalist Giulia Basso, the experts will be available for further discussion with participants on the topics covered.

A visit to the wastewater treatment facilities of the city of Trieste can be booked via the form available at https://forms.gle/EuNywHL3e1hR5NeL8. The visit will take place in the morning on 22nd May 2025, subject to availability.

The event will be recorded.

The event is organised as part of the project ‘Chemistry, Environment, Health, Innovation (CASI)’, with the support of the ‘Public and Social Engagement - Third Mission 2025’ call for proposals of the University of Trieste.

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Programme

17:30 Welcome coffee

17:40 Introduction – Giulia Basso, science journalist

17:45 Pharmaceutical active ingredients in water
Pierluigi Barbieri, environmental chemist, Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste

17:55 The health issue of antimicrobial resistance
Stefano Di Bella, infectious disease specialist, Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste and ASUGI (local health authority)

18:05 Pharmaceutical consumption in the region, with reference to antibiotics
Paola Rossi, Head of Pharmacovigilance Service, Friuli Venezia Giulia Region

18:15 Identification of antibiotic resistance genes in environmental bacteria
Alberto Pallavicini, geneticist, Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste

18:25 Wastewater treatment plants as tools for environmental monitoring and the effects of EU Directive 2024/3019
Paolo Jerkic, Head of Plants, AcegasApsAmga Spa

18:35 Concluding debate and Q&A session

19:15 Aperitif