hidden toxins

On associated press yesterday, was a great article about the increasing problem of pharmaceutical drugs tainting our drinking water and waterways.  The article states that at least 271 million pounds of pharmaceuticals have been released into our waterways. And this has been done legally!

Scientists have thus far found trace amounts of pharmaceuticals ranging from antibiotics and anti-convulsants to mood stabilizers and sex hormones.  Not only are these found in our water because of industry disposal methods, but perhaps we are the biggest contributors.  We consume the drugs, excrete the drugs, and dispose of the drugs often times down the toilet.  The drugs that we do dispose of, even though they end up in the landfill, can leech into the surrounding areas. 

The most important paragraph from the article…

Researchers have found that even extremely diluted concentrations of drugs harm fish, frogs and other aquatic species. Also, researchers report that human cells fail to grow normally in the laboratory when exposed to trace concentrations of certain drugs. Some scientists say they are increasingly concerned that the consumption of combinations of many drugs, even in small amounts, could harm humans over decades.

I would highly recommend reading the rest of the article!

{ 0 comments }