Investigation on Harmful Substances in Pharmaceutical Wastewater and Their Influencing Factors on Residents' Health and Living Environment

With the rapid development of the pharmaceutical industry, the pharmaceutical wastewater it generates has become an increasingly severe environmental issue, seriously threatening the quality of life and physical health of surrounding residents. The World Health Organization's definition of health emphasizes that health is not merely the absence of disease but also includes the impact of social and environmental factors to achieve holistic physical and mental well-being. This paper reviews relevant literature and, combined with practical cases from pharmaceutical factories in China, elucidates three main pathways of pollution impact: direct exposure, food chain transmission, and environmental migration and transformation mechanisms. It analyzes the multidimensional effects of pharmaceutical wastewater on residents' health, including respiratory and digestive diseases, heavy metal poisoning, and risks of antibiotic resistance; explores its damage to living environments such as air, water, and soil pollution as well as noise disturbance; and reveals its adverse impacts on residents' psychological status, including anxiety and reduced life satisfaction. Meanwhile, this study calls for strengthened regulation, enhanced public awareness, and advanced pollution control measures to achieve coordinated progress in environmental protection and industry development.