[Pharmwaste] Illinois Prohibits Health Facilities from Flushing Meds

[DeBiasi,Deborah]

Unless someone is 'caught in the act' of flushing unused medications, I
don't know how they could monitor and enforce this given the amount of
medications that are excreted.  A positive result will be awareness
along with better guidance and SOPs in health care facilities.

********

http://wwn-online.com/articles/2009/08/17/illinois-prohibits-health-faci
lities-from-flushing-meds.aspx

Illinois Prohibits Health Facilities from Flushing Meds

Aug 17, 2009 

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn on Aug. 10 signed several key environmental
bills, including one that will prohibit health care institutions from
flushing unused medications into public wastewater. Other legislation
will track water usage by high capacity wells throughout the state.

"This action is another important step in protecting our state's
precious natural resources," said Quinn. "Keeping our water safe from
unused medications and tracking water usage will help us preserve our
waterways for future generations."

Senate Bill 1919 creates the Pharmaceutical Disposal Act and was
sponsored by Sen. Susan Garrett (D-Lake Forest) and Rep. Karen May
(D-Highwood). The new law provides that health care institutions may not
discharge, dispose, flush, pour or empty any unused medication into a
public wastewater collection system or septic system. Violators are
subject to a fine.

"For years, disposing unused or expired medicines in wastewater was
common, even recommended practice. Today, we're making clear how serious
we are at stopping this practice before Illinois faces an environmental
or community health crisis," said Sen. Garrett.

The bill can be found here:
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=1919&GAID=10&DocTy
peID=SB&SessionID=76&GA=96


Deborah L. DeBiasi 
Email:   Deborah.DeBiasi at deq.virginia.gov (NEW!)
WEB site address:  www.deq.virginia.gov 
Virginia Department of Environmental Quality 
Office of Water Permit Programs 
Industrial Pretreatment/Toxics Management Program 
PPCPs, EDCs, and Microconstituents 
Mail:          P.O. Box 1105, Richmond, VA  23218 (NEW!) 
Location:  629 E. Main Street, Richmond, VA  23219 
PH:         804-698-4028 
FAX:      804-698-4032 


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