As part of its ongoing PharmaWater investigation about trace concentrations of pharmaceuticals in drinking water, AP identified 22 compounds that show up on two lists: the EPA monitors them as industrial chemicals that are released into rivers, lakes and other bodies of water under federal pollution laws, while the Food and Drug Administration classifies them as active pharmaceutical ingredients. The data don't show precisely how much of the 271 million pounds comes from drug-makers versus other manufacturers; also, the figure is a massive undercount because of the limited federal government tracking.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Icky Water
U.S. manufacturers, including major drugmakers, have legally released at least 271 million pounds of pharmaceuticals into waterways that often provide drinking water — contamination the federal government has consistently overlooked, according to an Associated Press investigation.
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Not a very good idea, enough chemicals are already being released into the water through what we excrete in pee or what drugs people throw down the drain. We had someone visit our Enviro class and she said it was alwyas smarter to throw drugs and stuff away in the trash
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