Pills and Pollution

Furniss: Lake Ontario The Machine 1 ~Enlarge

With concern growing about trace pharmaceuticals in water, a Minnesota legislator is pursuing legislation that would fund county take-back centers.  Funded by drug manufacturers, the system is drawing attention and some fire from those companies. Meanwhile, the Western Lake Superior Sanitary District is having enormous success with take-back days. Other Great Lakes states will be required to face the issue as well.

We are consuming pharmaceuticals and excreting residues in increasing amounts and sewage plants are not designed to filter them out.  What these residues do to fish or people, no one knows for sure.  But the potential is worrisome.

One rule:  don't flush unused residue or unwanted medication. That's an almost sure way to put it in public waters.