Reader's Response (1st draft): Pharmaceutical Disposal

In the article "Pharmaceutical Disposal", Burch (2015) mentions that 'pharmaceutical contamination' is a rising concern throughout the United States. Medicinal products infiltrate sewerage by many reasons, one of them being commonly practiced is by 'flushing unwanted or unused medications'. Even though there are 'sewage treatment' systems, they are not made to get rid of 'these contaminants', which is a growing issue. Presence of drugs have been found in water sources and ‘drinking water supplies’ after being tested. ‘Pharmaceutical drug contamination’ have been found to affect ‘fish and aquatic life’ but have yet to be found to affect humans. ‘Take-back events and permanent drop-off locations’ are available in New York and Connecticut for people to safely dispose their medications.

While I agree with the author with regards to the article, that pharmaceutical disposal plays a big part in contaminating water sources, there are other major factors that contaminates water sources. Medication consumed by animals or human does not entirely get absorbed by the body, the medications that do not get absorbed by the body are excreted through urine and faeces. Also, ‘personal care products’ and medication like perfume and skin lotion that are used on clothing or skin can enter water sources after being washed.

The author also mentions that ‘fish and aquatic life’ are affect but he fails to mention that animals who prey on fishes and other aquatic life may get affect as well. In an article, “As Pharmaceutical Use Soars, Drugs Taint Water and Wildlife”, Shah (2010) reported that vultures who ate animals that consumed pharmaceuticals were exposed and affected which shows that exposure to pharmaceuticals can cause a chain effect to happen.

In the article, Burch concludes that a critical part of the solving the issue is to ‘stop flushing drugs’. He also mentions that there are ‘take-back events and permanent drop-off locations’ available in New York and Connecticut. However, since the issue is happening throughout the nation, the author did not mention other alternatives of disposing medications if the locations are not accessible to other people. There are other means of disposing unused or expired medications. Harvard Health Publications (2011) provides other ways like mixing medications with ‘sawdust, cat litter, coffee grounds’ etc. before disposing to prevent misuse of medications and to minimize the chances that stray animals might consume them. People can also reduce the quantity that they purchase so that disposal of expired/ unused medications can be minimized. The public needs to be educated on how to handle their medications safely and the importance of it.

In conclusion, the article gave a brief introduction to the contamination of water sources through flushing of drugs, the effects of it and also the action taken although the information given was not sufficient.

References:

Burch, LW. (2015, March 4). Pharmaceutical Disposal. 
Retrieved from: 
http://www.citizenscampaign.org/campaigns/pharmaceutical-disposal.asp

Harvard Health Publications (2011, June 1). Drugs in the Water.
Retrieved from:
http://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/drugs-in-the-water

Poison Control. Protect the Water Supply.
Retrieved from:
http://www.poison.org/articles/2010-jun/you-can-help-protect-the-water-supply

Shah S. (2010, April 15) As Pharmaceutical Use Soars, Drugs Taint Water and Wildlife. 
Retrieved from: 
http://e360.yale.edu/feature/as_pharmaceutical_use_soars_drugs_taint_water_and_wildlife/2263/