[Pharmwaste] RE: question on wastewater characterization ofpharmaceuticals

[Tenace, Laurie]

"Reformulation" is not only possible but the pharmaceutical companies are
working on it. It is in their best interest - one reason for side effects and
bad drug reactions is that, in many cases, we have to take what amounts to an
overdose of a drug for it to circulate throughout our whole body and have the
desired effect on one particular organ system. A good example of this is
chemotherapy drugs - the hair loss, nausea, etc. is caused from the systemic
introduction of a poison that only needs to target one particular part of the
body. This new way of developing drugs is called a targeted delivery system.

Just don't ask me for more detail than that, it would take a pharmacokinetic
specialist or researcher to describe in more detail. 
Laurie

Laurie J. Tenace
Environmental Specialist
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
2600 Blair Stone Road, MS 4555
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2400
PH: (850) 245-8759
FAX: (850) 245-8811
Laurie.Tenace at dep.state.fl.us 

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http://www.dep.state.fl.us/waste/categories/mercury/default.htm

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-----Original Message-----
From: pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us
[mailto:pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us] On Behalf Of Jackson,
Jennifer
Sent: Friday, January 26, 2007 6:01 PM
To: pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us
Subject: [Pharmwaste] RE: question on wastewater characterization
ofpharmaceuticals

Hi Matthew,

Your observation is a good one and there is a plethora of studies done
on what pharmaceuticals are entering waterways through wastewater
effluent. Check out the USGS 2002 Reconnaissance on Pharmaceuticals and
Personal Care Products. Boulder Creek, Potomac and San Francisco Bay
have some studies as well. Google Scholar will give you lots of hits. To
begin, look at: http://toxics.usgs.gov/highlights/DM_top100.html as well
as the archives of this listserv.

Lots of pharmaceuticals are coming to our treatment plants, and yes,
many wastewater agencies are concerned. Some pharms are broken down,
some adsorb to biosolids and some come out the end pipe. Every treatment
plant is different, with various kinds of technology. Reverse osmosis,
UV, ozonation, carbon filtration and now ultrasound are all possible
treatments that may break down or remove the pharmaceuticals.
Unfortunately, some pharms respond better to certain treatments than
others, meaning that a mix of treatments would be necessary to get 'em
all. Also unfortunately, the burden of bringing this technology to our
plants falls on our ratepayers -- real people, rather than the true
culprits: over-prescription, formulations that don't break down and a
lack of EPA and FDA collaboration in ensuring pharmaceuticals are tested
for their environmental impacts.

So pollution prevention is key for the portion of pharmaceuticals that
are unused by hospitals, hospice, or residents, because that's much less
expensive than, say reverse osmosis. Some people on this list are
working toward a solution for disposal that will comply with DEA
regulations as well as state and other federal law. The red tape is
unbelievable.

For pharms that we take and pass through our bodies, I believe some
folks are looking at whether reformulation may be possible.

Best,
Jen Jackson
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