[Sqg-program] DEP AND DOH REMIND FLORIDIANS OF PROPER DISPOSAL METHODS FOR UNWANTED MEDICATIONS

[Perrigan, Glen]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 11, 2008

CONTACT: DEP, Dee Ann Miller, (850) 245-2112 or (850) 519-2898

                       DOH, Susan Smith, (850) 245-4111

 

DEP AND DOH REMIND FLORIDIANS OF PROPER DISPOSAL METHODS FOR UNWANTED
MEDICATIONS

--Proper disposal helps keep pharmaceuticals out of water--

 

TALLAHASSEE - The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and
Florida Department of Health (DOH) are reminding Floridians to properly
dispose of unwanted medications. Disposing with household trash rather than
flushing down the toilet or a drain helps reduce the amount of pharmaceutical
traces in Florida's water bodies and drinking water.

 

"Proper disposal of unwanted medications helps protect Florida's residents
and visitors as well as our natural resources," said DEP Secretary Michael W.
Sole. "Florida's drinking water utilities have an exemplary track record in
delivering safe, affordable, high-quality, drinking water. We will continue
to work with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Geological
Survey to study emerging chemicals and develop new criteria so that we can
continue to ensure safe water for generations to come."

 

Many medications contain compounds, also known as microconstituents, that are
used to enhance our quality of life by protecting human health, enhancing
consumer goods, and optimizing agricultural production.  Microconstituents
may be found in very low concentrations in surface water, ground water,
domestic wastewater, industrial wastewater, agricultural runoff, reclaimed
water, and other waters. 

 

"While the issue of pharmaceuticals and personal care products in water is
not new, current media coverage on the topic may prompt concern among
consumers," said State Surgeon General Ana Viamonte Ros, MD, MPH. "So far,
these chemicals have been found at extremely low concentrations and current
research has not demonstrated an impact on human health at the trace levels
at which they have been found."

 

The amount of microconstituents can be reduced by properly disposing of
unwanted medications.  While flushing them down the toilet or a drain
prevents immediate accidental ingestion, it can impact our environment
because many wastewater treatment systems, including septic tanks, are not
designed to remove many of these medications.  To properly dispose of
unwanted household medications:

 

1.      Keep the medicines in the original container. This will help identify
the contents if they are accidentally ingested.

2.      Mark out your name and prescription number for safety.

3.      For pills, add water or soda to start dissolving them. For liquids,
add something inedible like cat litter, dirt or cayenne pepper.

4.      Close the lid and secure with duct or packing tape.

5.      Place the bottle(s) inside an opaque container like a coffee can or
plastic laundry bottle.

6.      Tape that container closed.

7.      Hide the container in the trash. Do not put in the recycle bin.

 

Disposal of unwanted medications from commercial facilities such as
pharmacies, medical facilities and veterinary operations are subject to
different regulations than those that apply to medications from household
uses.  Those commercial facilities should contact DEP's Division of Waste
Management for guidance.

 

For more information on the proper disposal of unwanted medications, visit
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/waste/categories/medications/default.htm.

 

--30--



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=Glen.Perrigan@dep.state.fl.us Thank you in advance for completing the survey.
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