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Health Department on Drugs in Water: Just Say Yes
By
John Del Signore
Published Mar 11, 2008
Modified Mar 11, 2008
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By
John Del Signore
Published Mar 11, 2008
Modified Mar 11, 2008
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After a recent study detected minute quantities of pharmaceuticals in the city’s upstate water supply, the City Council has announced an emergency hearing to investigate the reports.
The Associated Press study found sedatives in water nationwide; in New York, traces of 15 different drugs (“for aches, infections, seizures and high blood pressure; hormones for menopause; the active ingredient in a popular sedative; and caffeine") turned up. Presumably the drugs entered the water supply via sewage - and wastewater treatment plants treat the germs, not the drugs.
The city’s Department of Health is sounding mellow (and well-hydrated?) about the drug water risks, issuing a statement saying that even if the study proves accurate, the doses "would be extremely small and would not be expected to adversely affect human health." Nevertheless, the Health Department says it will cooperate with the DEP “to monitor the situation and determine what additional steps are necessary" and "educate the public about pharmaceutical disposal in the watershed areas.”
But city councilman James Gennaro, who called the emergency hearing, seems like he needs to just chill out with a few glasses of ‘happy aqua’: "Though New York City currently meets all federal and state regulations for quality both in source watersheds and at the tap, I'm very concerned about the possible effects of even traces of pharmaceuticals in our drinking water. This hearing will allow the public, the scientific community and government officials to testify about their concerns and their actions in light of recent findings."
Photo: Kristine Paulus on Flickr
Tagged
drinking water
drugs
nyc dep
pharmaceuticals
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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