Drugs Found in Michigan Drinking Water

Flushed pharmaceuticals are being blamed for trace amounts of drugs found in Lake Michigan and the Grand River. A study has found birth control hormones, anti-seizure medication, ibuprofen, and other drugs in the water leaving the Grand Rapids, Michigan wastewater treatment plant. The drugs have also been found in drinking water.

Millions of Americans flush expired or unwanted medications down the toilet. Environmental scientists state that these medications end up in waterways and harm aquatic wildlife, as well as other animals that drink the water.

Birth control hormones are causing the biggest concern. Some male fish have been found with female organs, and scientists are concerned they may find other abnormalities.

Rick Rediske of Grand Valley State University's Annis Water Resources Institute told the Grand Rapids Press that some aquatic animals, such as shellfish, excrete serotonin as part of their mating ritual. He believes the serotonin found in anti-depressants such as prozac could be harming their life cycle. The effects of this are still unknown.

While scientists aren't sure how long-term exposure to low levels of medication will affect humans, the drugs are believed to be too diluted to cause any immediate harm. Amy Perbeck, a toxicologist with the State Department of Environmental Quality, is quoted in the Grand Rapids Press as saying, "Someone would have to drink 17,000 gallons of water to get the concentration they would get in one ibuprofen pill."

John Wierenga, a superintendent at the Grand Rapids Water Filtration Plant, said the plant already removes many of the drugs and there is no need to change the system."It's probably some of the cleanest (water) to be found on the planet," he told the Grand Rapids Press.

Scientists suspect the drugs have been in the water for years, but the technology to test such low levels of medication only recently became available. Perbeck said she hopes they'll eventually be able to test the drug levels in the fish.

The study will be used in a campaign launched by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the American Pharmacists Association. The campaign, SMARxT DISPOSAL, encourages proper disposal of medications.

According to a campaign press release (fws.gov/southeast/news/2007/r07-050.html), pills should be crushed, dissolved in water, and mixed with an absorbent material such as saw dust or kitty litter. The mixture should then be sealed in a bag and thrown in the garbage. Disposal of addictive medications should be discussed with a pharmacist.

SOURCES:

"Drugs Seep into Drinking Water," Grand Rapids Press, April 14, 2007
URL: http://www.mlive.com/news/grpress/index.ssf?/base/news-35/1176531355282580.xml&coll=6&thispage=1

"Drugs Seeping into Lake Michigan," Science Daily, April 14, 2007
URL: http://www.sciencedaily.com/upi/index.php?feed=Science&article=UPI-1-20070414-21073200-bc-us-water.xml

"Improper Disposal of Unused Medication Sparks Creation of New Awareness Program," U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service press release, March 17, 2007
URL: http://www.fws.gov/southeast/news/2007/r07-050.html