Traces of our chemically laden lives—prescription and over-the-counter drugs, cosmetics, soaps, shampoos, and lotions—routinely dribble into our nation’s waterways, and now show up in fish and plant life just about everywhere.
These products get into our water two main ways: When they pass through our bodies or wash off our skin and when we dispose of them down a drain. Then they end up in the environment, where they accumulate because they don’t biodegrade easily. “At this point,” reports Greg Kail, spokesperson for the American Water Works Association, “research hasn’t indicated an impact on human health in the trace amounts of these substances that are found in drinking water.” Yet hints of trouble abound: Fish in US rivers show signs of mutations, hormonal disruptions, disease, and even behavioral changes—most likely caused by residues from painkillers, antibacterial compounds, antidepressants, and hormone supplements.

The good news: We can make a difference in several ways.

Look to the label. Stacy Malkan with the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics (www.SafeCosmetics.org) says that when purchasing personal care products, look for simple ingredients—those made with plants and natural compounds, not petro chemicals, and with ingredients that have recognizable names. These are generally safer for human use, easier to remove from our water supply through standard wastewater treatment practices, and quicker to biodegrade. She also recommends avoiding anything that lists “fragrance” as a generic ingredient; manufacturers don’t have to specify what goes into that added scent, and it can include a plethora of chemicals. For help deciphering oft-confusing labels, look to the Skin Deep database (www.CosmeticsDatabase.com).

Consider alternatives. For life-enhancement medications (think acne or menopause symptoms), ask your doctor or pharmacist for non-drug alternatives, says Christopher Turf, director of integrative pharmacy at Pharmaca (www.Pharmaca.com). “You can do a lot of things with lifestyle modifications: diet, exercise, supplementation,” Turf says. “Then we’re actually dispensing fewer things into the environment.”

Choose companies that care. If a company has a strong commitment to the health of the planet, it will often demonstrate concern for human health, too. Malkan recommends companies that have signed the Compact for Safe Cosmetics, a pledge to follow ethical and environmental guidelines. You can find a list of signatories at www.SafeCosmetics.org.

Dispose, don’t dump. “Never flush unused medications down the toilet or into the sink,” says Kail. Almost all pharmacies use reverse distributors that collect expired pharmaceuticals for incineration, explains Ken Chao, VP of pharmacy at Pharmaca, and many can add unused patient prescriptions to that system. Under no circumstances will they reuse a prescription, he says, and “patient confidentiality has always been the assumption and the standard for pharmacists.”Legislation may mandate prescription returns in the near future, but in the meantime many local initiatives for the safe disposal of pharmaceuticals and personal care products have popped up around the country. Check with your city or county health department or a nearby pharmacy to see if a program exists in your area.
-Misty McNally

Want more great tips? Try Natural Solutions for free.

Information presented is of a general nature for educational and informational purposes only. Statements about products and health conditions have not been evaluated by the US Food and Drug Administration. Products and information presented herein are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. If you have any concerns about your own health, you should always consult with a physician or other healthcare professional.

Printer friendly page

Tags: Categories: