Issue Date: April 20, 2008
Dumping old drugs
Recent news reports revealed that trace amounts of numerous drugs -- including antibiotics and mood stabilizers -- have been found in the drinking water supply of millions of Americans.
One way drugs get into the water supply is by leftover medications being flushed down the toilet. In addition to affecting drinking water, "medications that are flushed down the toilet ... can and do find their way into our nation's waterways every day," says U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director H. Dale Hall. "Those drugs are present in water that supports many species of fish and other wildlife. We are concerned about reports of fish abnormalities possibly caused by improperly disposed prescription medications."
Here's what you should do:
Don't flush unused medicines. We used to be instructed to flush them, but not anymore. It could adversely affect the environment.
Crush solid medications and dissolve them in water; dilute liquid medications in water. Then, mix the solution with kitty litter, sawdust or another material that a child or pet would be less likely to find attractive. Place it in a bag that you seal shut and put in the garbage.
Get answers from your pharmacist. Ask for more tips on proper disposal of prescription medications and whether your pharmacy accepts unused medications. Also, check if your state or town has a collection program for unused medications.
Tedd Mitchell, M.D., president of Dallas' Cooper Clinic, writes HealthSmart every week.
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