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Drugs in the Drinking Water
By
Jen Chung
Published Mar 10, 2008
Modified Mar 10, 2008
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By
Jen Chung
Published Mar 10, 2008
Modified Mar 10, 2008
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New Yorkers have been proud of its drinking water (heck, the city even started advertising its benefits last year), but will the discovery of "barely measurable pharmaceuticals" in tap water change all that?
The AP conducted a survey of drinking water all around the country and found traces of drugs everywhere, including Los Angeles, Kentucky and NJ. In New York City, medicines likes "drugs for aches, infections, seizures and high blood pressure; hormones for menopause; the active ingredient in a popular sedative; and caffeine" end up in the water supply (they pass right through wastewater treatment plants).
It's unclear what the longterm effects are, given the uncertainty of how much is ingested by humans, but a Stony Brook University researcher found "feminized male flounder" in the Jamaica Bay, probably due to female hormones in the water. Well, that goes great with the STDs found in the Gowanus.
NYC's drinking water has never been tested for pharmaceuticals, which raises big concerns. City Councilman Peter Vallone said, "This is very alarming. Rather than sit back and be informed about this, New York City should have been proactive. I would hope we institute some sort of testing as soon as possible." The DEP statement is:
"Though nothing in the information we've seen presents a risk to this water supply, we understand and take very seriously public concerns about pharmaceuticals in drinking water and continue to closely monitor this emerging national issue, in cooperation with the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. DEP and DOHMH are working together to develop an education program about the best disposal methods for medications, targeting both watershed communities and city residents, and to consider appropriate next steps."
As for how the drugs end up in the water supply, here's how the AP explains it (and this happens even if you're throwing out drugs with kitty litter!):
People take pills. Their bodies absorb some of the medication, but the rest passes through and is flushed down the toilet. The wastewater is treated before it is discharged into reservoirs, rivers or lakes. Then, some of the water is cleansed again at drinking water treatment plants and piped to consumers. But most treatments do not remove all drug residue.
Waste from animals that had been given veterinary drugs also plays a role.
So taking that Aleve for your back now may revisit you later!
Photograph by Aeropleanic on Flickr
Tagged
drinking water
nyc dep
pharmaceuticals
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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