AP Probe Finds Drugs in Drinking Water

By JEFF DONN, MARTHA MENDOZA and JUSTIN PRITCHARD

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?

People take pills. Their bodies absorb some of the medication, but the rest of it 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.

And while researchers do not yet understand the exact risks from decades of persistent exposure to random combinations of low levels of pharmaceuticals, recent studies — which have gone virtually unnoticed by the general public — have found alarming effects on human cells and wildlife.

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Mandatory Garbage Pickup - Talkin’ Trash

 What’s wrong with mandatory trash pickup?  Besides it’s coercive nature, it is expensive, $20.00 per month, $240.00 per year.  Can you afford it?

At the city council meeting two weeks ago, we were told that there were two important reasons why this $2,000,000 per year contract should be awarded to City Garbage Co.  We were told of the threat of state sanctions against Eureka if we fail to divert 50% (we are currently diverting 44%) and that if “We don’t act now the price will certainly go up in the future.”

However it became painfully clear during the presentation that no one - not City Garbage, not Dave Tyson, not the City Council, would promise that this tax would actually accomplish a 50% diversion rate.  In fact there was even speculation that the current rate might change very little or not at all.

As for cost, well they all finally confessed:  the contract would be “cost plus” with guaranteed escalators, so the price  FOR US will go up no matter what.

Absent from the presentation were other less costly alternatives.  Perhaps the city can purchase some trash trucks and provide this service for us.  Perhaps we can offer a bounty on the heaviest items - appliances for instance - and aggressively recycle and divert them from solid waste.  The heaviest waste should be diverted first, that is the only rational solution.  Far more effective and FAR cheaper.

Here’s another trashy discussion on  Fred’s Blog.

Fascist “Anti-Drug” Sweep Nets 757 in One Day-Florida

Statewide Drug Sweep Nets 757 Arrests
 

Reporter: John Rogers

On Friday, local, state and federal law enforcement officials arrested 757 people in a statewide drug sweep.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement announced the arrests came during a one-day, proactive, national sweep to fight drugs and related crime.

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