ARE DRUGS IN YOUR WATER? ONE-QUARTER OF THE WORLD’S RIVERS. That’s the proportion laced with potentially toxic levels of pharmaceuticals. Today we take a quick look at the findings of the Global Monitoring of Pharmaceuticals Project, led by the University of York (United Kingdom).
This study is the first worldwide to look at medicinal contamination in the environment.
The scope of the problem is remarkable: Nearly half a billion people live in the river catchments monitored by the researchers. The British researchers offer from more countries than previously studied, adding 36 to the historically studied 75 countries.
Only one of the countries had no drugs identified. Can you guess where you might find this pristine water? Hint: Many of its residents believe in elves and trolls.
“Have you also learned that secret from the river, that there is no such thing as time?” That the river is everywhere at the same time, at the source and the mouth, at the waterfall, at the ferry, at the current, in the ocean and the mountains, and that the present only exists for it, not the shadow of the past nor the shadow of the future.”
― Hermann Hesse, Siddhartha
Are drugs in your water? River contamination
The researchers analyzed rivers in more than half of the world’s countries, hitting 258 rivers to examine medicinal contamination. Rivers from the Thames in London to the Amazon in Brazil. To see the chemicals analyzed, check out this overview: Full List of Pharmaceuticals Monitored | Global Monitoring of Pharmaceuticals ProjectThe Findings | Full List of Pharmaceuticals Monitoredwww.globalpharms.org
Here are the sobering findings:
- Every continent has pharmaceutical contamination of its waterways.
- Perhaps not surprisingly, strong correlations appeared between a country’s socioeconomic status and the pollution levels of its rivers — lower-middle-income nations had the most pollution.
- The most polluted regions of the world are the ones that have been researched the least (sub-Saharan Africa, South America, and parts of southern Asia).
- The activities associated with the most drug pollution included garbage dumping along river banks, dumping of septic tank contents into rivers, and inadequate wastewater infrastructure.
Here are some of the pharmaceuticals found at potentially harmful levels: Propranolol (a beta-blocker for heart problems such as high blood pressure), ciprofloxacin (an antibiotic), sulfamethoxazole (another antibiotic), and the antihistamine loratadine (an antihistamine used as an allergy medicine).
The researchers hope that with more monitoring of pharmaceutical agents in the environment, we can strategize about limiting the potential effects of pollutants.
Are you close to one of the most toxic rivers? You can go here to find out:
Did you get the country without polluted water? If you guessed Iceland, I am impressed. But did you know that Iceland was the last place on earth to be settled by humans? Or that the national sport is handball? One of the best things for me is that you can swim outdoors in hot springs throughout the year.
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The information I provided in this blog is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you seek medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment. I am not liable for risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information in this blog.
