Author Identifier (ORCID)
Abstract
Since the 1980s, rare earth elements (REE), particularly gadolinium (Gd) used in gadolinium-based contrast agents (GdCA), have revolutionized Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) diagnostics. However, the near-complete persistence of these compounds through wastewater treatment processes has led to widespread global environmental contamination. Here, we present a global assessment of REE concentrations and GdCA signatures in tap water from 148 cities across 89 countries and Antarctica, where anthropogenic Gd ranges from 0.1 to 61.2 ng L–1 and accounts for up to 99% of total dissolved Gd. Contamination hotspots are concentrated in Europe and North America. While Gd levels scale with MRI usage and wastewater generation, the primary driver on contamination exposure is the local drinking water source. These results reveal Gd as a sensitive global tracer of wastewater influence on drinking-water systems. Although current concentrations pose limited immediate health risks, their worldwide prevalence highlights the emerging threat of pharmaceutical pollution and the need for rapid advances in wastewater treatment, environmental monitoring, and water-resource management.
Keywords
Emerging contaminants, Gadolinium-based contrast agents, Human exposure and regulation
Document Type
Journal Article
Date of Publication
7-14-2026
E-ISSN
15205851
ISSN
0013936X
Volume
60
Issue
27
PubMed ID
42377106
Publication Title
Environmental Science & Technology
Publisher
ACS
School
Centre for Marine Ecosystems Research / School of Science
RAS ID
101705
Funding Information
The authors acknowledge financial support from CAPES (FCN, Finance Code 001), CNPq (VH, 302477/2022-5; 407297/2018-9), FAPESB (APP0012/2023), and GasBras/Finep.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
First Page
19611
Last Page
19619
Recommended Citation
Hatje, V., Novais, F. C., Orani, A. M., Machado, M. E., Masque, P., & Metian, M. (2026). A global imprint of gadolinium-based contrast agents used in magnetic resonance imaging in drinking water. Environmental Science & Technology, 60(27), 19611–19619. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.6c06733