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August 29, 2008 5:00:57 CDT

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Drugs Found in US Water Supply

Posted Mar 10, 08 7:50 AM CDT in US,  Science & Health 

(Newser) – Small amounts of a wide range of prescription and over-the-counter drugs have been found in drinking water used daily by 41 million Americans in 24 major cities. A major AP investigation found pain killers, anti-seizure drugs, angina and cholesterol medications, mood-altering drugs, and other pharmaceuticals in tap water, the water table and aquifers.

No one is certain what the long-term impact of exposure will be on humans, wildlife, or the environment. "Pharmaceuticals are being detected," said the environmental technology director for drug maker Merck. "There is genuine concern that these compounds, in small concentrations, could be causing impacts to human health or to aquatic organisms."

Source Associated Press

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Water dripping from a tap in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)   (Associated Press)
ADVANCE FOR MARCH 10-12; logo to go with any story from the PharmaWater package, illustrating possible traces of drugs in drinking water   (Associated Press)
Carla Wieser, fishery biologist with the US Geological Survey, takes a blood sample from a carp in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, near Boulder City, Nev., Monday, Nov. 5, 2007, to study effects...   (Associated Press)
The Ashokan Reservoir, part of New York City's water supply. An APO investigation shows drugs have found their way in drinking water, water tables and aquifers across America. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)   (Associated Press)
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Drugs in Water Supply

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drugs  • Detroit  • Washington DC  • Environmental Protection Agency  • Philadelphia  • Southern California  • contamination  • pharmaceutical  • drinking water  • bottled water  • medication  • Louisville  • US Geological Survey


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