# Wastewater of an Australian campus of 30,000 shows a rise in oxidative stress marker 8-OHG during exams

- Published: 2026-11-14 09:48 UTC
- Section: Life & Health › Medicine
- Tags: wastewater-based epidemiology, academic stress, oxidative stress biomarkers, 8-hydroxyguanine, 8-OHdG, antidepressant consumption, ADHD medication, paraxanthine, acesulfame, university campus
- URL: https://realtech.media/news/rt-167f171351230770580f1a37_wastewater_of_an/

**Researchers compared exam and teaching periods in 2022 campus wastewater with a catchment of 120,000 residents. The method tracks population stress without surveys.**

![Wastewater of an Australian campus of 30,000 shows a rise in oxidative stress marker 8-OHG during exams](https://realtech.media/media/2026/11/dc0bf72f64b3210c.webp)
*science-et-vie.com*

Researchers analysed wastewater samples collected in 2022 from an Australian university campus of about 30,000 people, according to a study published on nature.com [1]. The samples were tested for oxidative stress biomarkers, antidepressants, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medication and behavioural indicators. Temporal patterns during the examination period were compared with teaching periods [1].

A general-population catchment of about 120,000 residents, sampled at the same time, served as a reference [1]. The authors note that population-level monitoring of student stress usually relies on self-reports or prescription data, which have limited temporal resolution [1].

## Oxidative stress markers and medication

Difference-in-differences analysis showed a marked university-specific increase in 8-hydroxyguanine (8-OHG) during the examination period [1]. Evidence for a rise in 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) was weaker [1]. Both compounds are oxidative stress biomarkers.

Antidepressant consumption showed consistent positive trends during the examination period, but these were not statistically significant [1]. Ritalinic acid and amphetamine, which are markers of ADHD medication, remained relatively stable [1].

## Behavioural indicators

The behavioural panel included alcohol, nicotine and tobacco biomarkers, paraxanthine (a caffeine biomarker) and acesulfame [1]. Alcohol, total nicotine and tobacco-derived nicotine remained relatively stable between teaching and examination periods [1]. Paraxanthine and acesulfame decreased significantly [1].

## What the authors conclude

The study combined several biomarkers in one analysis, covering oxidative stress, medication and behaviour. According to the authors, this makes wastewater surveillance a non-invasive and complementary tool for identifying periods of increased mental health burden in university populations and for informing timely public health interventions [1].

The data describe the campus population as a whole rather than individuals, and come from one campus in one year. Only the 8-OHG increase was clearly marked; the antidepressant trends were consistent but did not reach significance [1].

## Sources

1. [nature.com](https://www.nature.com/articles/s44221-026-00735-5)
2. [science-et-vie.com](https://www.science-et-vie.com/cerveau-et-intelligence/des-chercheurs-ont-analyse-les-eaux-usees-dune-universite-australienne-de-30-000-personnes-ils-y-ont-retrouve-la-signature-chimique-du-stress-des-examens-2-266286.html)

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Source: RealTech, realtech.media — https://realtech.media/news/rt-167f171351230770580f1a37_wastewater_of_an/