Investigation Shows Six Pharmaceuticals Found in D.C. Water Supply
Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, Councilmember David Catania (At-Large), along with Councilmembers Mary Cheh (Ward 3) and Tommy Wells (Ward 6), introduced the, “Unused Pharmaceutical Safe Disposal Act of 2009” at the sixth legislative meeting. This legislation offers an opportunity for the safe and proper disposal of unused pharmaceuticals in an effort to begin improving the quality of the environment and water supply.
“Over the past decade, as the use of pharmaceutical drugs has increased significantly, so to has the number and concentration of pharmaceuticals found in our water supply,” said Catania. “The presence of prescription drugs in our water poses a serious public health risk.”
The bill will provide for the safe disposal of unused pharmaceutical drugs through drop-off or mail-in programs and will require the Department of Health to assist in the collection efforts. In addition, area hospitals, nursing homes, and pharmacies will be required to devise and implement disposal plans for any large quantities of unused pharmaceuticals which they routinely discard.
The Associated Press conducted a recent investigation of the drinking water supply in twenty-four metropolitan areas. Locally, the investigation discovered six pharmaceuticals in Washington, D.C. These drugs included: Carbamazapien, a mood stabilizer used for epilepsy, bipolar disorder, ADD, ADHD, and schizophrenia; Monensin, an antibiotic used to improve growth rates of beef and cattle; and Sulfamethoxazole, an antibiotic used to treat malaria, conjunctivitis, and urinary tract infections. Research has shown that pharmaceutical residues are harmful to aquatic life and can stunt their growth, cause abnormal reproductive conditions and lower their rates of survival. While research has shown that human exposure to drugs can be harmful, it has also shown that human breast cancer cells grow twice as fast when exposed to estrogen taken from catfish caught near untreated sewage overflows in Pennsylvania.
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