Drugs Affect More Drinking Water
13/09/2008 07:00
Testing prompted by
an Associated Press story that revealed trace
amounts of pharmaceuticals in drinking water
supplies has shown that more Americans are
affected by the problem than previously thought
-- at least 46
million.That's up from 41 million people reported by the AP in March as part of an investigation into the presence of pharmaceuticals in the nation's waterways.
The AP stories prompted federal and local legislative hearings, brought about calls for mandatory testing and disclosure, and led officials in at least 27 additional metropolitan areas to analyze their drinking water. Positive tests were reported in 17 cases, including Reno, Nev., Savannah, Ga., Colorado Springs, Colo., and Huntsville, Ala. Results are pending in three others.
The test results, added to data from communities and water utilities that bowed to pressure to disclose earlier test results, produce the new total of Americans known to be exposed to drug-contaminated drinking water supplies.
Sip more details here.
SINC SAYS:
So, the next time you have a left over prescription, think twice before flushing it down the toilet.
