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Flushing Pharmaceuticals

ANTIBIOTICS FROM HEALTHCARE, CLEANING PRODUCTS, AND EVEN FEEDLOTS ARE BEING SENT TO WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANTS THAT WEREN’T DESIGNED TO HANDLE THEM.  LEARN MORE ON TODAY’S ENVIRONMINUTE.

LOW CONCENTRATIONS OF ANTIBIOTICS ARE SHOWING UP IN FRESH WATER SUPPLIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY WITH POTENTIAL ADVERSE HEALTH EFFECTS.  NANCY MESNER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF WATERSHED SCIENCES AT UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY SAYS THIS ISN’T A REASON TO PANIC, BUT AN EARLY WARNING TO HEED.

MESNER: THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO STEP BACK AND SAY HOW CAN WE KEEP THIS STUFF OUT OF THE WATER?  WHAT KIND OF METHODOLOGIES CAN WE USE WHEN WE’RE TREATING WASTEWATER AND DRINKING WATER SOURCES TO ELIMINATE THESE CHEMICALS FROM OUR WATER?

MESNER SUGGESTS BEING CAREFUL NOT TO OVER-USE ANTIBIOTICS, AND TO RETURN ANY LEFTOVER MEDICATION TO A PHARMACY OR DRUG DROP-OFF SITE SO IT CAN BE DISPOSED OF PROPERLY.

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Learn more from the EPA.

Read more from the USGS.