Posted on 03/09/2008 4:13:43 PM PDT by xtinct
A vast array of pharmaceuticals including antibiotics, anti-convulsants, mood stabilizers and sex hormones have been found in the drinking water supplies of at least 41 million Americans, an Associated Press investigation shows.
To be sure, the concentrations of these pharmaceuticals are tiny, measured in quantities of parts per billion or trillion, far below the levels of a medical dose. Also, utilities insist their water is safe.
But the presence of so many prescription drugs and over-the-counter medicines like acetaminophen and ibuprofen in so much of our drinking water is heightening worries among scientists of long-term consequences to human health.
In the course of a five-month inquiry, the AP discovered that drugs have been detected in the drinking water supplies of 24 major metropolitan areas from Southern California to Northern New Jersey, from Detroit to Louisville, Ky.
Water providers rarely disclose results of pharmaceutical screenings, unless pressed, the AP found. For example, the head of a group representing major California suppliers said the public "doesn't know how to interpret the information" and might be unduly alarmed.
How do the drugs get into the water?
(Excerpt) Read more at news.aol.com ...
The various chemicals are probably in a concentration gradient of the various intermediates depending on oxygen concentration, ambient temperature and light exposure. Other than endocrine disruptors, it's hard to say if they have any physiological effect. I doubt if they have any pharmacological effects.
I’m with you! If this crap drifts over to Scotland, say Islay, and settles into the bogs and peat, our great grand children won’t need to go to the drugstore.
There may or may not be.
Analytical equipment is constantly improving detection limits (DL). When I started my career many years ago parts per million was the typical DL. Later, in the early late '80's and early '90's, parts per billion was the standard. Now, parts per trillion or even parts per quadrillion are not uncommon.
A part per trillion or part per quadrillion in drinking water will have absolutely no effect on you.
Drink up.
Most water is bottled regionally. I’ve thankfully NEVER seen water bottled in New Jersey. All the water I’m familar with comes from my state.
Gadzooks! This is common knowledge... like there being a certain tiny level of rat manure in Ball Park Franks and minute traces of human urine in Corona beer, but we eat and drink them anyway!
Hmmmm this makes me wonder. I worked for a short time at a plant that supplied bottled water in NJ. I was shocked to find that it came from the basement & was filtered. I bet the buyers never knew it.
This urges a rewrite for “Smoke on the water”
Druuuugs in the waaater...
Gee that sounds just wonderful! /s
Don't drink beer either.
Dasani and Aquafina are bottled in NJ.
excellent graphic art... did you create it?
Mine...all mine. Wanna buy it? ;’)
never heard of them
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