Medication Disposal - Training Module - Reason 3: Environment
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- Published: Monday, 06 June 2016 10:10
- Written by 340B Editor
Article Index
Why Drug Disposal is Important
3. Environment Hazards
Last but not least is the concern for the environment, as medications exposed to water or landfills could seep into the groundwater and cause health hazards to humans, plants, or other wildlife
According to the Oregon DEQ, scientists analyzed streams for 95 different organic wastewater contaminants, including pharmaceutical compounds. One or more of these wastewater contaminants appeared in 80 percent of the streams. Risks posed to aquatic organisms by long-term exposure to various pharmaceutical compounds are unknown. Wastewater treatment plants and septic systems usually do not treat or only partially treat pharmaceuticals, so chemical compounds from pharmaceuticals pass through treatment plants or septic systems to rivers or groundwater.