Excreted Drugs Contaminating Drinking Water A Growing Concern

Worrying traces of acetaminophen, codeine, antibiotics, hormones, steroids, and anti-epileptic compounds, and dozens of other chemicals are finding their way into lakes and rivers. Last year, a study group concluded that they’d found evidence of a “global environmental issue” after discovering widespread neuro-active compounds, including antidepressants, anti-seizure compounds, and mood stabilizers, in 24 Minnesota rivers.

Much of what goes into our bodies, also comes out, through our own biological effluent, every time we flush the toilet. The excreted drugs pass right through most sewage treatment processes and end up in rivers and lakes, and then in our drinking water. A Canadian study quietly released last month reported record-breaking levels of three pharmaceuticals in river water in southwestern Ontario…Read More (PDF)