[Pharmwaste] Contamination Level

[Catherine Zimmer]

Hi all,
We're working on a pharmaceutical waste reduction project and would like 
to gauge environmental impact based on weight reduced. For example, A 
constant deposition of 1 gram of mercury is sufficient to pollute twenty 
acres of water to levels where the fish are highly contaminated. Anyone 
aware of a similar comparison?

Thanks for your assistance.

Catherine Zimmer
Health Care Specialist

Minnesota Technical Assistance Program
University of Minnesota
612/624-4635, 800/247-0015
http://www.mntap.umn.edu

Helping Minnesota businesses maximize resource efficiency, prevent pollution and reduce costs.



DeBiasi,Deborah wrote:
>
> http://www.allenpress.com/pdf/entc_25_807_2163_2176.pdf
>
> BURLINGTON, ONTARIO — A Canadian study of high-use drugs released from 
> eight municipal wastewater treatment plants suggests that effects on 
> invertebrates, bacteria, and plants in natural aquatic environments 
> are unlikely, according to a study in the journal /Environmental 
> Toxicology and Chemistry/ 
> <http://www.allenpress.com/pdf/entc_25_807_2163_2176.pdf>.
>
> According to the report, across Atlantic Canada, the study's 
> researchers found 10 acidic and two neutral pharmaceuticals in the 
> effluents of eight sewage treatment plants.
>
> In the large bodies of receiving water, drugs generally were not 
> detected at high concentrations; alternatively, in the small receiving 
> streams, drug residues continued downstream for 11 miles, the study said.
>
> Based on the results of laboratory toxicity tests, the researchers 
> concluded that the concentrations measured were not causing harm, the 
> analysis concluded.
>
> Deborah L. DeBiasi
>
> *Email: dldebiasi at deq.virginia.gov*
>
> WEB site address: www.deq.virginia.gov
>
> Virginia Department of Environmental Quality
>
> Office of Water Permit Programs
>
> Industrial Pretreatment/Toxics Management Program
>
> Mail: P.O. Box 10009, Richmond, VA 23240-0009
>
> Location: 629 E. Main Street, Richmond, VA 23219
>
> PH: 804-698-4028
>
> FAX: 804-698-4032
>
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