David Azanu
Department of Environmental ScienceLife SciencesHealth SciencesPhysical Sciences

David Azanu

32 Publications16 Research Themes19 Open Access
Research Overview & Focus

The researcher's overall research focus is on the environmental impact of pharmaceuticals and their associated pollutants in various systems. They examine how these substances affect biological systems through uptake by organisms, distribution of chemicals through aquatic ecosystems, and contamination risks across different scenarios. Their work also delves into heavy metal distribution, radiation effects, food safety practices, and waste management techniques such as sugarcane processing and recycling of medications. Additionally, the researcher investigates biological processes like fish health issues, animal-related diseases, and microplastic distribution in the environment. This comprehensive approach aims to understand and mitigate environmental hazards associated with pharmaceuticals and water pollution across diverse systems.

Faculty Biography

David Azanu, PhD, is a seasoned academic specializing in environmental-analytical chemistry with a career spanning over a decade. Currently a lecturer in the Department of Environmental Science at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), he has previously held roles at Kumasi Technical University (KsTU), including Senior Lecturer and Head of Department for Central Instrumentation and Laboratory Services.Dr. Azanu's academic credentials include a PhD and MSc in Analytical Chemistry, both from KNUST, and a BSc in Chemistry. His research interests focus on environmental toxicology, particularly the impact of emerging pollutants such as pharmaceuticals and microplastics, and the development of advanced water and wastewater treatment technologies. He has received notable grants, including the KREF Clean Manure Project and FSPI NYANSAPO 2022-32 Project.With a strong publication record, his work has appeared in reputable journals, addressing issues like health risks from pollutants and innovative adsorption techniques. Dr. Azanu has also contributed significantly to the academic community through supervision of doctoral and master's students and service on various professional committees. His leadership extends to roles in national and international scientific communities, including as an external examiner and journal reviewer.

Key Research Themes (16)
Life Sciences

African Botany and Ecology Studies

Health Sciences

Child Nutrition and Water Access

Physical Sciences

Drilling and Well Engineering

Physical Sciences

Effects and risks of endocrine disrupting chemicals

Health Sciences

Healthcare and Environmental Waste Management

Physical Sciences

Heavy metals in environment

Life Sciences

Listeria monocytogenes in Food Safety

Physical Sciences

Mercury impact and mitigation studies

Physical Sciences

Microplastics and Plastic Pollution

Health Sciences

Mycobacterium research and diagnosis

Physical Sciences

Pharmaceutical and Antibiotic Environmental Impacts

Life Sciences

Pharmacy and Medical Practices

Health Sciences

Radioactivity and Radon Measurements

Life Sciences

Sugarcane Cultivation and Processing

Physical Sciences

Wastewater Treatment and Reuse

Physical Sciences

Water Quality and Pollution Assessment

Publications (32)

Bioaccumulation of Heavy Metals and Health Risk Assessment in Taro ( <i>Colocasia Esculenta)</i> Grown with Mine-Affected Irrigation Water in the Atiwa East Municipality, Ghana

Integrated assessment of heavy metal contamination and health risks in irrigation water, soil, and vegetables along the Dankran River, Bekwai Municipality, Ghana

2025Heavy metals in environmentDOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2025.144690

Investigating Household Water Quality Concerns in Kumasi, Ghana: Health Risks and Potential Implications: A Case Study

2025Child Nutrition and Water AccessDOI: 10.33140/jwr.03.02.06

A Review on Occurrence, Risk Assessment and Removal of Pharmaceuticals in Hospital Effluents

Open Access
2025Pharmacy and Medical PracticesDOI: 10.26650/ijegeo.1565196

Optimizing composite microplastics for antibiotics removal in water: An eco-friendly solution

Open Access
2025Microplastics and Plastic PollutionDOI: 10.1080/27658511.2025.2464377

Bioaccumulation Factor and Health Hazards of Heavy Metals in Taro in the Atiwa East Municipality, Ghana

Open Access
2025Heavy metals in environmentDOI: 10.2139/ssrn.5117863

Relationship Between Physicochemical Parameters and Risk of Analgesics and Antibiotics of Effluents From Three Selected Hospitals in Kumasi Metropolis, Ghana

Open Access
2025Healthcare and Environmental Waste ManagementDOI: 10.1155/tswj/2891425

Impact of Antibiotic Residues in Poultry Waste as Manure on Environmental Health and Bacterial Resistant Genes

Open Access
2025Pharmaceutical and Antibiotic Environmental ImpactsDOI: 10.2139/ssrn.5398096

Physico-Chemical Characteristics of Wastewater at A Polyethylene Bag Manufacturing Company in Bekwai Municipality, Ghana

2024Water Quality and Pollution AssessmentDOI: 10.4314/just.v1i2.5s

The Effect of Storage Time on the Levels of Phthalates in Extemporaneous Preparations in Ghana

Open Access
2024Effects and risks of endocrine disrupting chemicalsDOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4572478/v1

Occurrence and Ecological Risk of Pharmaceutical Compounds in Water Samples From Obuasi Metropolis of Ghana

Open Access
2024Pharmaceutical and Antibiotic Environmental ImpactsDOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3833712/v1

Environmental Risk Assessment of Analgesics and Antibiotics in Effluents from Three Selected Hospitals in Kumasi Metropolis of Ghana

Open Access
2024Pharmaceutical and Antibiotic Environmental ImpactsDOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3783739/v1

Risk Assessment of Pharmaceutical Contaminants in Pharmaceutical Wastewater

Open Access
2024Pharmaceutical and Antibiotic Environmental ImpactsDOI: 10.1155/2024/5538398

Acid‐Activated Biochar for Efficient Elimination of Amoxicillin From Wastewater

Open Access
2024Pharmaceutical and Antibiotic Environmental ImpactsDOI: 10.1155/2024/3648098

Antibiotics in the Ghanaian Environment

2023Pharmaceutical and Antibiotic Environmental ImpactsDOI: 10.4018/978-1-6684-9843-9.ch006

Optimizing Composite Microplastics for Antibiotics Removal in Water: An Eco-Friendly Solution

Open Access
2023Microplastics and Plastic PollutionDOI: 10.2139/ssrn.4609579

Prevalence of Pharmaceuticals in Surface Water Samples in Ghana

Open Access
2021Pharmaceutical and Antibiotic Environmental ImpactsDOI: 10.1155/2021/7829477

Health Risk Assessment of Sugarcane Grown in an Area under the Influence of Hospital Wastewater

Open Access
2021Heavy metals in environmentDOI: 10.24940/theijst/2021/v9/i11/st2111-007

Microbiological and Physicochemical Evaluation of Some Locally Produced Soft Drinks and Beverages Sold in Kumasi Metropolis in Ghana

2021African Botany and Ecology Studies

Synthesis and assessment of a hydrophobically associating heteropolymer in water-based mud

2020Drilling and Well EngineeringDOI: 10.1007/s11696-020-01379-9

Antibiotic Uptake by Plant Model

2020Pharmaceutical and Antibiotic Environmental ImpactsDOI: 10.1007/s10666-020-09712-y

The role of gamma irradiation and storage at 28 ± 2 °C on the inactivation of Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium in sun-dried Legon-18 pepper (Capsicum annuum) powder

Open Access
2019Listeria monocytogenes in Food SafetyDOI: 10.1186/s40550-019-0077-6

Assessment of sugarcane grown in wetlands polluted with wastewater

Open Access
2018Wastewater Treatment and ReuseDOI: 10.1080/23311843.2018.1455277

Occurrence and risk assessment of antibiotics in water and lettuce in Ghana

2017Pharmaceutical and Antibiotic Environmental ImpactsDOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.11.287

Natural radioactivity and heavy metal distribution in reservoirs in Ghana

2017Radioactivity and Radon Measurements

DISTRIBUTION OF TOTAL LEAD, COPPER, ZINC AND CADMIUM IN SOILS ALONG THE HIGHWAY FROM TAFO TO ABOASO IN KUMASI IN THE ASHANTI REGION OF GHANA

Open Access
2016Heavy metals in environmentDOI: 10.4314/just.v36i2.6

Uptake of antibiotics from irrigation water by plants

2016Pharmaceutical and Antibiotic Environmental ImpactsDOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2016.05.035

Accumulation of toxic metals in fish raised from sewage-fed aquaculture and estimated health risks associated with their consumption

Open Access
2016Mercury impact and mitigation studiesDOI: 10.1080/23311843.2016.1190116

Simple metal model for predicting uptake and chemical processes in sewage-fed aquaculture ecosystem

2015Mercury impact and mitigation studiesDOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2015.07.023

Chemistry of natural waters and its relation to Buruli ulcer in Ghana

Open Access
2015Mycobacterium research and diagnosisDOI: 10.1016/j.ejrh.2015.03.006

Street Sugar Cane Vendors Practices, Metals and Microbial Levels of Sugar Cane Sold In Kumasi, Ghana

2015Sugarcane Cultivation and Processing

Sorption of inorganic mercury on soils from Ankobra basin in the south - western part of Ghana

Open Access
2014Mercury impact and mitigation studiesDOI: 10.4314/just.v33i3.1
Academic Metrics
DepartmentDepartment of Environmental Science
Total Publications32
Research Themes16
Open Access Papers19

Department of Environmental Science

Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

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