Learn More About Drugs in Drinking Water
Laurel Tevolitz Are there drugs in drinking water? Yep, sorry to say, but it is true. Who, in their wildest dreams, would have ever thought that the day would come that we would find drugs in drinking water? Recent studies in several metropolitan areas throughout the country have discovered prescription and over-the-counter medications in the public water supplies. What's more, the water supplies that have been tested have already been treated and, at the time of the testing, were considered ready for human consumption. You might wonder how there could be drugs in drinking water. Well, it's not an act of terrorism or anything like that. It's really quite simple and not surprising, when you think about it. When a medication is ingested, not all of it is absorbed by the body. The remainder is flushed from the body and excreted in urine. The waste makes it's way back in to the water supply, and since Americans are a well medicated bunch, much of the waste does carry these unused pharmaceuticals. Of course, this waste is treated before actually being considered for use, but while the widely accepted treatment practices do well against biological waste, they are incapable of breaking down medications and other chemical compounds. The EPA has known for many years that chemicals, mostly resulting from pollution, were in the drinking water. It was only a matter of time until they found drugs in drinking water, too. Before getting overly alarmed, the actual amount of drugs in drinking water is exceedingly small. The actual dose of medication is barely perceptible. Getting up right now and grabbing a glass of water will not subject you to a mega-dose of medication. The human body is actually better equipped to handle a one-time large dose then a smaller amount over time, and that's the problem. Yes, the amount of drugs in drinking water is very small per glass, but it is impossible to determine what, over the course of, say, several years, the ramifications will be. What makes matters worse is the wide variety of medications that are found together in the water. Antibiotics, anti-seizure medication, antidepressants, angina medication, pain killers and sex hormones, to name a few, have been found in different studies. There is no telling how being exposed to different medications simultaneously will affect a person. Everyone has seen a label on a prescription warning against mixing this drug with that, or seen a medication commercial whose disclaimer at the end warns against use of the drug in conjunction with other medications. It's easy to see that drugs in drinking water are a threat, particularly to children. It is hard to say what solutions are available. Considering the fact that the population of this country is trending older each year, and that, as people age they generally are apt to use prescription medication, it is safe to assume that the amount of drugs in drinking water will increase. Environmental groups and scientists are urging municipalities to consider better, newer treatment techniques to reduce the threat. The technology is already out there. The best in-home drinking water filters can block drugs and other chemicals. Until something changes, we need these systems to protect our families from chemicals and drugs in drinking water. We have no choice but to take care of the problem ourselves. About the Author
Laurel Tevolitz is a dedicated researcher of critical issues that affect health and well-being. Visit her water purification blog now at http://www.safewaterpurifier.com to discover which water purification system she recommends after extensive research. Click here to view more articles by Laurel Tevolitz. Reprinted with Permission from IdeaMarketers.com
|
