[Pharmwaste] Pollution experts: Save fish from drugs in water - article

[Tenace, Laurie]

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5joOm3RWykIp6u5WdYAVcOl_HC3M
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Pollution experts: Save fish from drugs in water

By JEFF DONN - 16 hours ago 

Pollution experts on Tuesday pressed a congressional panel for stronger
action to keep pharmaceuticals and other contaminants out of the water,
saying they are hurting fish and may threaten human health.

Thomas P. Fote, a New Jersey conservationist who sits on the Atlantic States
Marine Fisheries Commission, said the pollutants are damaging commercial
fisheries. He told congressmen not to "study a problem to death and never do
anything."

Fote appeared in a lineup of witnesses Tuesday before the subcommittee on
Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife of the House Natural Resources
Committee. The witnesses pointed to research showing damage to fish and other
aquatic species from pharmaceuticals, pesticides and other industrial
chemicals, especially those that alter growth-regulating endocrine systems.
Some scientists worry about the potential of similar harm to humans.

"Hundreds of peer-reviewed publications ... demonstrate that numerous
ubiquitous chemicals in the environment can interfere with development via
the endocrine system, but there appears to be no will or authority to remove
those chemicals from the supply chain," said zoologist Theo Colborn, a
professor emeritus at the University of Florida, who founded the nonprofit
Endocrine Disruption Exchange.

The witnesses appealed for Congress to promote consumer take-back programs
for unused drugs, to encourage industry financing of disposal, and to do more
to keep discards from waterways and landfills.

The hearing comes on the heels of an Associated Press investigation that
reported pharmaceutical traces in drinking water supplies of at least 51
million Americans and in many waterways. The drugs range from antibiotics to
psychiatric drugs to endocrine-disrupting sex hormones.

One witness, pharmacist Fred Massoomi from Nebraska Methodist Hospital in
Omaha, broke his collarbone in a recent fall and sat stiffly during his
testimony. Asked by a panel member if he was in pain, he said, "Not right
now." Then he lifted a plastic bottle and smiled. "If I need any pain
medication, I'll just drink some water," he said.

Most cities and water providers don't test for pharmaceutical contaminants.
The biggest source is considered to be human excretion, but manufacturers and
health care facilities also send millions of tons of unused drugs into rivers
and streams every year.


Utilities say their drinking water is safe, and no human risks are confirmed
from pharmaceutical pollution. However, research shows that the
pharmaceuticals sometimes harm fish, frogs and other aquatic species. Also,
researchers report that human cells fail to grow normally in the laboratory
when exposed to trace concentrations of certain drugs.

The House has already passed legislation to study the problem and find
solutions, and the Senate is considering such a bill. Delegate Madeleine Z.
Bordallo, D-Guam, who chaired the hearing, said she has talked to colleagues
about the need for more legislation.

The AP National Investigative Team can be reached at investigate(at)ap.org
Laurie Tenace
Environmental Specialist
Waste Reduction Section
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
2600 Blair Stone Rd., MS 4555
Tallahassee FL 32399-2400
P: 850.245.8759
F: 850.245.8811
Laurie.Tenace at dep.state.fl.us 

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

Unwanted Medicine:
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/waste/categories/medications/default.htm



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