DON’T FLUSH YOUR OLD MEDICATIONS
A U.S. Geological Survey reveals that pouring old prescriptions down the drain can hurt ecosystems.

Flushing unwanted items, including medicine, down the toilet is an act most people in America have done.
Scientists,
however, have reported that the increasing amount of pharmaceuticals
being poured down drains and flushed in toilets is getting into the
water system – endangering people and the environment.
It
is for this reason that the Inland Empire Utilities Agency, water
districts and sanitation districts are asking their customers not to put
drugs down the drain.
The dangers posed
Traces
of potentially harmful toxins and pharmaceuticals were found in 96
percent of the public drinking water samples taken from more than two
dozen states in a sweeping study conducted by the U.S. Geological
Survey. The most prevalent drugs found included pain killers, hormones,
steroids and antibiotics.
Health
experts warn that exposure to some of these chemicals can cause a
bacterial resistance to antibiotics in water animals such as frogs and
fish that live in shallow waters where these toxins have been found.
Other side effects could include reproductive, fertility and behavioral problems, according to the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts.
In
addition, sewage and wastewater treatment facilities can filter out
most solids and contaminants but not all pharmaceutical chemicals.
While
it may be impossible to prevent all medications from winding up in the
sewage system, there is a way to prevent unused drugs from further
contaminating public drinking sources.
Proper disposal methods
Most
medications that are no longer needed should be taken to a household
hazardous waste collection center or event. Many government agencies
hold these events several times a year.
Certain
drugs, referred to as controlled substances, will need to be placed in
trash bins. However, they first need to be placed in containers, treated
with water, salt, ashes and/or dirt, then sealed and wrapped in duct
tape to prevent leaking.
For details
about keeping drugs from being flushed down drains, visit
www.nodrugsdownthedrain. org and the Los Angeles County Sanitation
Districts website at lacsd.org. For more information about household
hazard waste collection events, visit ladpw.org.
— Inland Empire Utilities Agency