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| Photo from Columbia News Service |
Pharmaceuticals are now attracting attention as a potentially new class of water pollutants. Drugs such as antibiotics, anti-depressants, birth control pills, seizure medication, cancer treatments, pain killers, tranquilizers and cholesterol-lowering compounds have been detected in varied water sources.
Where do they come from? Pharmaceutical industries, hospitals and other medical facilities are obvious sources, but households also contribute a significant share. People often dispose of unused medicines by flushing them down toilets. These drugs can pass intact through conventional sewage treatment facilities, into waterways, lakes and even aquifers. Further, discarded pharmaceuticals often end up at dumps and land fills, posing a threat to underlying groundwater. For more info click here.
Manatee County Sheriff's office is now offering a safe way to dispose of your medication. The drop off location is the front desk of the Sheriff’s Office located at 600 301 Boulevard West, Bradenton. The front desk is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Reduce your pollution by disposing of your medications properly!