[Pharmwaste] Genes help predict drugs' environmental impacts

[Tenace, Laurie]

Genes help predict drugs' environmental impacts

NAOMI LUBICK 


A new screening technique from researchers in Sweden compares genomes from
animals, plants, and other organisms to those of humans in an effort to
quickly determine whether particular drugs could be toxic in the environment.
Preliminary results of the methodology are published in ES&T (DOI
10.1021/es8005173 ). Researchers say that once the technique is validated, it
may provide hints about pharmaceuticals that could harm specific species.

Previously reported cases in which drugs intended for human use had an impact
in the environment-both unexpected and unintended-stand as cautionary tales.
Well-cited examples include the feminization of fish living downstream from
wastewater treatment plants that emit estrogens and the decline of vulture
populations in India as a consequence of diclofenac use in cattle.

Go to http://pubs.acs.org/cgi-bin/sample.cgi/esthag/asap/html/es801614k.html
for the rest of the article.


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 

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

Unwanted Medications web pages:
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/waste/categories/medications/default.htm




Please Note:  Florida has a very broad public records law.  Most written
communications to or from state officials regarding state business are public
records available to the public and media upon request.  Your e-mail is
communications and may therefore be subject to public disclosure.



The Department of Environmental 

Protection values your feedback as a customer. DEP Secretary Michael W. Sole is committed to continuously assessing and 

improving the level and quality of services provided to you. Please take a few minutes to comment on the quality of 

service you received. Copy the url below to a web browser to complete the DEP 

survey: http://survey.dep.state.fl.us/?refemail=Laurie.Tenace@dep.state.fl.us Thank you in advance for completing the survey.