It is an emerging problem. Pharmaceuticals contaminating water supplies. These include prescribed drugs; OTC(over the counter) medications; pet drugs prescribed by a vet; etc. They get into the environment in 1 of 2 ways: 1. They are ingested. Some medications are only partially metabolized; then the body excretes the unused portion, which is flushed into the sewer or septic system. 2. Until recently the recommended disposal method for Unused, Outdated, Unwanted and Unneeded pills, liquids, gels, powders, etc. was 'flush it down the toilet or sink.' The logic was it would then stay out of the hands of at risk, unintended users.
The over-prescribed meds are polluting water. So are personal care products. The chemicals and preservatives are also showing up in water.
Contaminants remain in the sewage treatment plants (STP's) by-product: sludge. STP's are not designed to handle extracting “emerging contaminants” such as these. From antacids to antidepressants; steroids to antibiotics. The concern is that many of these drugs have the potential of interfering with hormone production. Chemicals with this effect are called endocrine disrupters and are attracting the attention of water quality scientists.
So, rather than despair, we need to think this through and take actions. Be Pro-active.
ACTION 1: Increasingly communities are starting campaigns to educate people not to flush medications in the sewer or septic. Spread the word. Have these conversations with others who might not be aware of the extent of this problem.
ACTION 2: Communities are organizing Pharmaceutical Collection Days (much like 'Hazardous Waste Collection Days) *This would be an ideal service project for a local community oriented service group. Talk to elected officials in your community about organizing this.
What is done with the collected substances? There is a definite process to collecting, sorting, accounting for, and disposing of collected materials. They are special handled and delivered to a waste treatment plant with the capacity to incinerate them at very high temperatures.
ACTION 3: What to do with unused, outdated, unwanted pharmaceuticals if there is no collection process in your area? First, this is an emerging problem that few communities have dealt with. You can either: 1. store the drugs in a locked, secure location until a collection process is implemented. 2. mix prescribed drugs with dirt or coffee grounds, wrap in newspaper, and throw out with household trash*. (*NOTE: I think this option is only for communities where it is known that collected trash is incinerated. Otherwise, drugs sent to landfills continue the contamination cycle, leaching into groundwater there.)
ACTION 4: Rather than continually dealing with the aftermath of our chemical-saturated society, we should be examining why there is a massive (and growing) amount of prescriptions being written and filled; but then they're going unused and unwanted. What are we doing?
Why are we being over-medicated? It is leading to unintended medicating, as people drink water tainted by cholesterol drugs, pain meds, heart meds, cold and flu meds, etc. etc. etc. Yuk!
Personal Care Products are also a huge industry. Cosmetics, fragrances. Much of it contaminated with chemicals, preservatives, pesticides. Much of it leaching into the environment. Going green also means going lean. Cutting out the excess.
Be well. Don't despair. We can't do anything about what we don't know. But we can take action on what we are learning. Thank you for whatever you do to help alleviate this problem.
Here's a couple of articles to read more about this issue,
or just search 'pharmaceuticals in water'
http://ag.arizona.edu/AZWATER/awr/july00/feature1.htm
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23503485/
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