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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>Pete: Thanks for the feedback. You raise several
familiar and thorny issues that are subject to ongoing research and discussion.
Your post furthers those important discussions. </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>As you emphasize, the important thing is
to have the best answer –and a concrete one - for someone inquiring about
“What do I do with these pills?”</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>There is plenty of room in for tweaking or
even significantly modifying disposal guidance to meet local, state or regional
concerns and disposal options. Like better privacy protection, e.g., remove the
label instead of crossing/scratching out patient name. Maybe more
complete, bombproof rendering the medications unrecognizable, unusable. Coffee
grinds and kitty litter are just examples of what could be used to do this. USED
kitty litter isn’t among the ones I thought of but …yeah, that
would work! Crushing, mixing and holding your nose would definitely
eliminate the possibility of intentional or unintentional misuse. </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>There is still work to be done to
understand the fate of pharmaceuticals in a landfill. I don’t think
we can assume that the pharms stay in their original chemical forms during
their entire landfill lifetime and report directly to the leachate. Or that
their landfill transformations would be as harmful as their original formulations.
There is research going on right now to look at the biochemical transformations
(or lack thereof) in a simulated landfill; whether the pharms or their transformations
actually report to the leachate and, if so, what fraction gets there (5%, 95%?)
or whether some fraction is sequestered (immobilized) in the landfill. See
Musson/Townsend’s work at <a
href="http://www.dep.state.fl.us/waste/quick_topics/publications/shw/meds/FateOfPharmaceuticalsInLandfillTownsendandMusson1206.pdf">http://www.dep.state.fl.us/waste/quick_topics/publications/shw/meds/FateOfPharmaceuticalsInLandfillTownsendandMusson1206.pdf</a>.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>There is also ongoing uncertainty about
what concentrations of which compounds in our surface water or drinking water
have adverse impacts on our species and other species. We do need to
consider the possibility that we and other species can live with certain
concentrations of certain compounds in our surface and drinking water. We
need to have risk analysis methodologies that permit us to set these maximum
concentrations with a comfortable level of certainty. And to evaluate the
risks of combinations - chemical cocktails. I have seen some work on this very
complex problem. </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>Absent a robust risk analysis that tells
us that we can live with the compound/combination/concentration, we do need to
use caution – also known as precaution – and assume there could be
a risk. We also need to understand that we will never get to zero. By
disposing of unused medications in the trash (landfill or combustion), we at
least are not adding to the environmental burden as quickly or directly as
flushing does. That concept of “don’t add to the problem” is
the genesis of our guidance on disposal. It is a simple and cost
effective step that we can take until we know whether we need to adjust
wastewater treatment standards and technologies or modify wastewater treatment
sludge disposal, e.g., prohibit or restrict land application of sludge. Or
whether we need to push harder for medication delivery modifications that
ensure more efficient uptake of the pharm and less pass through when we take
them. Another tough issue in these “next steps”
considerations is which of these much harder steps give us the best return on the
investment of our limited resources. And which can we actually afford to
do, given the competing demands for governmental funds.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>If you want to discuss further, please
give me a call. I would appreciate hearing your thoughts. It’s a bit
clunky doing that via email and, as you see, I can get longwinded. </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>Jack.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'> </span></font></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><font size=3 color=blue face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:blue'>John L. (Jack) Price</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><font size=3 color=blue face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:blue'>Environmental Manager</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><font size=3 color=blue face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:blue'>Hazardous Waste Management MS 4555</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><font size=3 color=blue face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:blue'>Florida Department of Environmental
Protection</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><font size=3 color=blue face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:blue'>2600 Blair Stone Road</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><font size=3 color=blue face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:blue'>Tallahassee</span></font><font
color=blue><span style='color:blue'>, FL 32399-2400</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><font size=3 color=blue face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:blue'>Phone:850.245.8751</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><font size=3 color=blue face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:blue'>Fax: 850.245.8811</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><font size=3 color=blue face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:blue'>john.l.price@dep.state.fl.us</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><font size=3 color=blue face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:blue'>www.dep.state.fl.us/waste</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
7.5pt;font-family:Arial'>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.</span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
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color=black face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:windowtext'>
<hr size=2 width="100%" align=center tabindex=-1>
</span></font></div>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 color=black face=Tahoma><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;color:windowtext;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font
size=2 color=black face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;
color:windowtext'> pharmwaste-bounces@lists.dep.state.fl.us
[mailto:pharmwaste-bounces@lists.dep.state.fl.us] <b><span style='font-weight:
bold'>On Behalf Of </span></b>Pete Pasterz<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Friday, February 23, 2007
4:39 PM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> Price, John L.; rachel golden<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Cc:</span></b>
pharmwaste@lists.dep.state.fl.us<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> RE: [text][html][heur]
RE: [Pharmwaste] Federal Government issuesdrug disposal guidance -if not that,
then what?</span></font></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face="Comic Sans MS"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";color:blue'>John--</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:windowtext'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face="Comic Sans MS"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";color:blue'>I agree that we
have to make a concrete recommendation when asked; however IMHO, there
are problems with both the federal guidelines AND your
recommendations. </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:windowtext'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face="Comic Sans MS"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";color:blue'>First, with the
Federal guidelines, not everyone has a cat or drinks coffee [I don't].
There is really no destruction of the pills, so they are still readily
identified. There's a risk of inadvertent depositing the grounds/pills
mix in the backyard compost. And I'm not sure that coffee grounds are a
sufficient deterrent to a prescription drug addict; it would have to be WAY
MORE disgusting [cat litter MAY be, if its USED, but the Federal
Guidelines do not specify].</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:windowtext'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face="Comic Sans MS"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";color:blue'>With your FL
guidelines, I also have concerns about patient confidentiality if the
information is just crossed out and the label NOT removed. And,
although I'm sure prescription drug abusers know what the pills they are
targeting look like, I'm uncomfortable in having a billboard on the containers
saying "Oxycontin in Here".</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:windowtext'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face="Comic Sans MS"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";color:blue'>I DO like your
idea of dissolving the pills, but expanded more fully, so that they
are TOTALLY dissolved into newspaper, paper towel, shredded paper, old
rags, etc. </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:windowtext'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face="Comic Sans MS"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";color:blue'>I don't like
the packaging from either the Federal or FL guidelines. The problem
with the FL recommendation is that the vial is not water tight, and the duct or
packaging tape will not make it so. The amber PP vials are also brittle,
cracking easily under pressure when the coffee can gets crushed
around it, or the snap-on flimsy lid pops off and it falls out [I DO
like detergent bottle, but with more prep; see below]. This means it
can LEAK into the rest of the trash, and thus become part of the ooze coming
out of the garbage truck onto streets and into rivers, or become leachate in a
landfill [obviously not an issue if your community uses an incinerator, but
most of US trash is still landfilled]. Leachate is treated at
POTWs, and we know they are largely ineffective in treating drugs.</span></font></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:windowtext'> </span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face="Comic Sans MS"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";color:blue'>The problem
with Fed guidelines is similar...the plastic bags break easily under
pressure of a compacting trash truck or the compaction equipment at landfills,
resulting in the same problems listed above. And if the bag [or
vial] should survive the compaction upon deposit, they can still degrade and
break over time under increasing pressure of trash piled on top...the dirty
little secret of "dry tomb landfills"...EPA says they will all leak
in time...maybe 30 - 60 years, after the financial responsibility of the owner
has ended, and long after most remember that the land WAS and landfill.
This means a encapsulate drug which has not leached upon deposit becomes a
"timed-release" drug dose to groundwater.</span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:windowtext'> </span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face="Comic Sans MS"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";color:blue'>So, you're
probably wondering what I suggest....here goes [while holding my nose]:</span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:windowtext'> </span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face="Comic Sans MS"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";color:blue'>1] Crush and
mix all pills/liquids together onto absorbent such as napkins, kleenex,
papertowels, newspaper, shredded paper, cat litter, rags, etc... with just
enough water to dissolve them into paste. 2]Place absorbent/paste
mix into a locking plastic bag, squeeze out excess air, and seal. 3]Place
bag into second plastic locking bag , squeeze excess air, seal
4]Place into old detergent bottle, squeeze excess air, and replace
cap 5]Discard inconspicuously in trash DO NOT FLUSH OR POUR
DOWN DRAIN</span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:windowtext'> </span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face="Comic Sans MS"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";color:blue'>Yes, this is
also subject to breaking under pressure, but it's less likely because of the
toughness of the detergent bottle, the double bagging and removing the
"popping balloon" effect by squeezing out the excess air.
It also addresses the issue of palatability of the drugs by addicts or by
children. It still CAN leak, but this reduces the risk/buys more
time...</span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:windowtext'> </span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face="Comic Sans MS"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";color:blue'>I'm not sure
this passes the "Convenience Test" that Rachel has raised so
that people would be deterred enough just to flush...but I see it as an interim
recommendation while we work toward Producer Responsibility/changes in Drug Law
to allow for better return and recycling solutions.</span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:windowtext'> </span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face="Comic Sans MS"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";color:blue'>Pete Pasterz</span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face="Comic Sans MS"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";color:blue'>Cabarrus County HHW</span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face="Comic Sans MS"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";color:blue'>Concord</span></font><font
size=2 color=blue face="Comic Sans MS"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Comic Sans MS";color:blue'>, NC</span></font></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:windowtext'> </span></font></p>
<div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3
color=black face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:windowtext'>
<hr size=2 width="100%" align=center tabIndex=-1>
</span></font></div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><b><font size=2 color=black
face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;color:windowtext;
font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font size=2 color=black face=Tahoma><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;color:windowtext'>
pharmwaste-bounces@lists.dep.state.fl.us
[mailto:pharmwaste-bounces@lists.dep.state.fl.us] <b><span style='font-weight:
bold'>On Behalf Of </span></b>Price, John L.<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Friday, February 23, 2007
2:19 PM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> rachel golden<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Cc:</span></b>
pharmwaste@lists.dep.state.fl.us<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> [text][html][heur] RE:
[Pharmwaste] Federal Government issues drug disposal guidance -if not that,
then what?</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>Rachel: I appreciate your critique and thoughts
about this. Not sure I’m with you on the “First of all”
but I would concur with you on the “Second.” And I agree that
this guidance does not completely acknowledge or address this “enormous
issue.” I do find it to be a step in the right direction, though.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>May I ask, however, what DO you recommend
as practical guidance to the general public’s inquiries if not this?
From where I sit, we cannot answer inquiries about “What should I
do with my unwanted pharmaceuticals” with “Well, we aren’t
sure what you should do, but don’t do this.” That’s an
incomplete answer. People who want to do the right thing, and ask us what that
is, need to be given our best guidance based on what we know that, while not
perfect, easy, etc., allows them to do SOMETHING positive or at least SOMETHING
less negative. In my opinion, that’s what fostering public buy-in
to environmental protection is all about – empowering people to help in
some small or big way.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>I have attached our agency’s answer
to inquiries about “What should I do with my unwanted
pharmaceuticals?” Also, find at <a
href="http://www.dep.state.fl.us/waste/quick_topics/publications/shw/meds/DEPMedicationDisposalFlyer111706Final.pdf">http://www.dep.state.fl.us/waste/quick_topics/publications/shw/meds/DEPMedicationDisposalFlyer111706Final.pdf</a>.
</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>Thanks for the post and for any feedback
to mine.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>Jack.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><font size=3 color=blue face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:blue'>John L. (Jack) Price</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><font size=3 color=blue face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:blue'>Environmental Manager</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><font size=3 color=blue face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:blue'>Hazardous Waste Management MS 4555</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><font size=3 color=blue face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:blue'>Florida Department of Environmental
Protection</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><font size=3 color=blue face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:blue'>2600 Blair Stone Road</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><font size=3 color=blue face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:blue'>Tallahassee</span></font><font
color=blue><span style='color:blue'>, FL 32399-2400</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><font size=3 color=blue face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:blue'>Phone:850.245.8751</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><font size=3 color=blue face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:blue'>Fax: 850.245.8811</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><font size=3 color=blue face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:blue'>john.l.price@dep.state.fl.us</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><font size=3 color=blue face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:blue'>www.dep.state.fl.us/waste</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
7.5pt;font-family:Arial'>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.</span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 color=black face=Tahoma><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;color:windowtext;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font
size=2 color=black face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;
color:windowtext'> pharmwaste-bounces@lists.dep.state.fl.us
[mailto:pharmwaste-bounces@lists.dep.state.fl.us] <b><span style='font-weight:
bold'>On Behalf Of </span></b>rachel golden<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Friday, February 23, 2007
12:06 PM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b>
pharmwaste@lists.dep.state.fl.us<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> Re: [Pharmwaste] Federal
Government issues drug disposal guidance</span></font></p>
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style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>Concerning the Federal Government Drug Disposal
Guidance...<br>
<br>
I'm not quite sure where to begin...<br>
<br>
First of all, the fact of the matter is that people just won't do this.
The folks who are calling our organizations and asking about how they can
safely dispose of their drugs are not representative of the overall population,
and I don't even think all of them would go through the trouble of mixing their
drugs in coffee grounds or cat litter. This is not a realistic solution,
or even a realistic temporary solution. It might be a way to remove any
responsibility from themselves, but it in no way gets us closer to a solution.<br>
<br>
Second, is this the actual guidance document that the public is supposed to get
their information from? Please tell me it's not, and that the writers of
this guidance document are currently working with educators to craft the actual
public document. The reading level is not appropriate for the general
public. Most material for the public is written at a 6th to 8th grade
reading level. The bulleted points in the drug disposal guidance document
are at a 12th grade reading level. I also would not recommend one of the
bullet points reading, "Flush prescription drugs down the toilet only
if..." This guidance document is needed specifically to let people
know NOT to flush their drugs, an action that was once recommended, so giving
guidance that phrases flushing in positive terminology will only confuse
people.<br>
<br>
This is an enormous issue that I think will require law changes as well as the
public being educated to think about waste and disposal in an entirely new
framework. I don't think the guidance document even begins to acknowledge
this.<br>
<br>
Sincerely,<br>
Rachel Golden</span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>-- <br>
Rachel Golden<br>
Adult Environmental Education Program Manager<br>
Office of Environmental Education<br>
NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources<br>
1609 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1609<br>
919-733-0711 (phone) 919-733-1616 (fax)<br>
<a href="mailto:rachel.golden@ncmail.net">rachel.golden@ncmail.net</a><br>
<a href="http://www.eenorthcarolina.org">www.eenorthcarolina.org</a><br>
<br>
Check out the EcoSmart Consumer <a
href="http://www.myspace.com/ecosmartconsumer">MySpace page</a> and <a
href="http://ecosmartconsumer.blogspot.com/">blog</a>!</span></font></p>
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style='font-size:12.0pt;color:windowtext'>DISCLAIMER:<br>
E-mail correspondence to and from this address may be subject to the North
Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties.</span></font></p>
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