The last thing on a person's mind while relieving him or herself is the fish out at sea. But with all the medications and other substances being consumed in American society, the fish are the ones getting the bum deal.
???According to an article published in the New York Times in 2007, the worries of polluted water systems began when researchers found "intersex fish" in the Potomac River. The fish found were male, but were carrying immature eggs.
???Since then, many scientists have linked low concentrations of oral contraceptives and estrogens to the "feminization" of the male fish, according to www.pollutionissues.com. After being exposed to estrogen, the male fish began to produce an egg protein that is only found in females.
???Other scientists have found that Prozac affects the reproductive abilities of zebra mussels, crayfish and fiddler crabs.
???According to the Web site, many of the pollutants are fat soluble, so they accumulate in the animal tissue, but water-soluble pollutants are continually replenished, which means that fish are continually exposed.
???What caused these mutations has not been proven, it is suspected that the hormones and other chemical residues have affected aquatic life.
???Not only can the contaminants be harmful to sea dwellers, but taking a sip of tap water could become risky as well.
???Research done by the Associated Press in many metropolitan areas found that the water supply of 24 major U.S. cities, which serves over 40 million people, is contaminated with trace amounts of antibiotics, anti-seizure medications, anti-inflammatory drugs, psychotropic drugs, pain medications and caffeine, according to www.naturalnews.com.
???Antibiotics are present in 48 percent of streams in the U.S., which could be a factor in the development of many drug resistant bacteria.
???According to www.pollutionissues.com, one main fear is that the prolonged and constant exposure to such pollutants could affect species in undetectable and irreversible ways. Many small changes can go unnoticed for long periods of time and be attributed to evolution or adaptation instead of contamination.
???Studies show that not only is the dumping and flushing of unsuitable medications the problem, but Americans' own biological waste products are becoming the cause for pollutants due to overmedication.
???Not much can be done for the chemicals being excreted because many pollutants survive the sewage treatments and go by undetected, according to the Web site. However, the controlled and proper disposal of prescriptions can help with keeping fish, and our drinking water, safe.
???According to www.health.usnews.com, a few ways to properly dispose of medications and limit drug abuse is to take the medications out of the original containers before disposing of them and mix them with an undesirable substance, like used kitty litter or coffee grounds, then place them in a plastic bag or aluminum can before placing them in the garbage.
???Disposing of drugs by flushing them down the toilet should only be done if the label says that it is alright to do so. But according to the Web site, the best way to get rid of unused or expired medications is to find out if your community has a drug buyback program.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
