Pharma and all the consumers (I use that word to mean all drug users, not just those with psychiatric labels—I use the word as it was intended!) gulping down drugs are poisoning our waters:
From the Associated Press on CBS:
Tons Of Released Drugs Taint US Water
(AP) 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.
Hundreds of active pharmaceutical ingredients are used in a variety of manufacturing, including drugmaking: For example, lithium is used to make ceramics and treat bipolar disorder; nitroglycerin is a heart drug and also used in explosives; copper shows up in everything from pipes to contraceptives.
Federal and industry officials say they don’t know the extent to which pharmaceuticals are released by U.S. manufacturers because no one tracks them _ as drugs. But a close analysis of 20 years of federal records found that, in fact, the government unintentionally keeps data on a few, allowing a glimpse of the pharmaceuticals coming from factories.
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 drugmakers versus other manufacturers; also, the figure is a massive undercount because of the limited federal government tracking. (read the rest here)
Gianna, this is why I read your blog! You not only cover stuff like this but can sum up an apt commentary in your subject line. Insidious indeed. Thanks again–to me this topic should be front page news.
There is so, so much more that invades our bodies via our water–actually making us crazy. TCE solvents come to mind…
Best, Sue
FRONTLINE
http://www.pbs.org/frontline/
– This Week: “Poisoned Waters” (120 minutes),
April 21st at 9pm on PBS (Check local listings)
And I thought people throwing their prescriptions down the drain where bad! WTF?!?
Gianna,
We were out most of the day at an Earth Day celbration – meeting some of the neatest people – who have small business where they sell everything from organic food to crafts….just the best stuff!
And, then we get home, and I receive an email from someone in my family – this same story…..
When are people gonna wake up, and say: “It’s not okay. It’s not okay to poison the water supply with this crap!”
Duane