Flushing prescriptions down the commode isn't a new habit, but recently started making headlines as prescription take backs began asking for your old meds.
According to researchers it's now a concern, because the technology has improved enough to detect the chemicals flowing out of your house.
A website recently created by the University of Virginia formulates a list of traceable prescriptions in water all over the commonwealth.
You simply type in your zip code and pops up a list of the top 50 prescribed drugs estimated to be flowing into you local wastewater treatment plant.
“We thought that the website would be out there. We thought it would let people look and see for themselves what types of chemicals are flowing through the waters. People recognize names like amoxicillin and penicillin,” explained Lisa Colosi, UVa Associate Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.
However, you may not recognize the name of the drug estimated with the highest concentration across the commonwealth, metformin - a medication for type 2 diabetes.
Mike McEvoy at the Western Virginia Water Authority visited the website last week and says its helpful, but broad.
“Obviously, they can't go out and sample every waste water plant, obviously they just did some estimates based on prescription drug sales in the country. Again, it's kind of a 30,000 foot view of the issue,” explained McEvoy.
McEvoy says if you can't make it to the next prescription drug take back, take your pills and seal them in a bag and throw it in the trash. Also, pour liquids into cat litter or coffee grinds to absorb the medicine then throw it away.
Testing the water flowing into the waste water treatment plant is just step one.
As technology advances researchers hope to test the water coming out of the tap.
http://faculty.virginia.edu/vpharmacalc/index.php
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