AP Investigates Pharmaceuticals in Drinking Water
by Trey Granger
Published on March 10th, 2008
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A five-month Associated Press investigation has determined that trace amounts of disposed pharmaceuticals are contained in our drinking water, possibly affecting both human health and aquatic life.
This is not a new phenomenon. In fact, it’s only one reason why flushing meds is a no-no.
Other reasons to properly dispose of pharmaceuticals include:
- Diversion—Prescription medication abuse and/or theft are becoming more frequent, sometimes with fatal consequences; getting it out of the medicine cabinet is the first step in prevention
- Treatment Interference—Antibiotics can wreak havoc on your septic tank, resulting in untreated sewage passing into our natural water outlets
- Expired pills—Pharmaceuticals have a shelf-life like most products; taking expired meds can be dangerous
The lesson from all of this: properly dispose of your medicines. Do it for your health and the health of the environment.
While pharmaceuticals can’t be recycled, many communities will hold events to collect and dispose of your medications. Find one of these events using Earth 911’s recycling locator.
To learn more about this topic, visit Earth 911’s Unwanted Medications section.
