Pharmaceuticals in Drinking Water
For decades we’ve been told to get rid of old prescription medications by flushing them down the toilet. Who would have thought that by doing so we’d turn our drinking water supply into a “pharmaceutical soup?” Although the amounts of drugs found are at very low concentrations and the water supply is considered safe, no one knows what the long-term effects of being exposed to other people’s medications will be for humans or wildlife.
Viewer Tip: Researchers are still trying to determine the safest way to dispose of unneeded medications. For right now, awareness of this emerging issue is important. Some, but not all medications, may be wrapped and put in the trash, but ensure that children and pets don’t have access to them. Check with your physician and pharmacist to ask whether they will accept old medications for disposal and for suggestions on disposing of your particular medications.
View guidelines for proper disposal of prescription drugs.
This information is provided by the Port Townsend Marine Science Center. Learn more: www.ptmsc.org.
Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
(Sources: Associated Press investigation (“AP Probe Finds Drugs in Drinking Water,” March 9, 2008); NSF Pharmaceuticals in Drinking Water Guide at http://www.nsf.org/consumer/newsroom/pdf/pharmaceuticals_water.pdf;
“ Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCPs) in Drinking Water,”American Waterworks Association , http://www.drinktap.org/consumerdnn/Default.aspx?tabid=73)