According to a 2008 investigation by the Associated Press, an array of pharmaceutical drugs, including antibiotics, anti-convulsants, mood stabilizers and sex hormones, have been found in the drinking water supplies of at least 41 million Americans.

In addition to prescription medication, over-the-counter medicines like acetaminophen and ibuprofen have also been detected. The study did not look for street drugs, such as heroin or methamphetamine, but it’s reasonable to expect their presence as well. The drugs enter the water supply one of two ways; either people excrete them through urination, or they flush unused medication down the toilet.

In the course of the five-month study, the AP learned that drugs had been previously discovered in the drinking water supplies of 24 major metropolitan areas; from Southern California to Northern New Jersey, and from Detroit to Atlanta. For example, officials in Philadelphia confirmed that they had detected 56 pharmaceuticals in treated drinking water, including medicines for pain, infection, high cholesterol, asthma, epilepsy, mental illness and heart problems. According to the AP report, contamination is not confined to the United States. Over 100 different pharmaceuticals were discovered in lakes, rivers, reservoirs and streams throughout the world.

Although some of the drug residue is removed at water treatment plants, most is not. Even people who drink bottled water and use home filtration systems may not be safe. Some bottlers simply repackage tap water, or don’t test for pharmaceuticals. Home filtration systems don’t remove drugs either, with the exception of reverse osmosis, which removes virtually all pharmaceutical contaminants.

According to Richard Pienciak, AP National Investigator Editor, "The unanswered question at this point is whether after fifty years exposure of small amounts that will have long term adverse effects on the human body." Scientists are already seeing negative effects in animals. Male fish, for example have developed female traits and reproductive problems. The believed cause is exposure to human birth control hormones.

Although the concentrations of the drugs found in the study was small, scientists worry about of long-term consequences to human health. The concern in the scientific community is that the combinations of drugs may harm humans because water is consumed in large amounts every day, and these drugs will be consumed over a lifetime. This could potentially cause antibiotic resistance, nerve damage, and/or allergic reactions. Although these drugs are tested to be safe for humans, they are tested individually-not in random combinations-and the timeframe is usually over months, not decades or a lifetime.

Clearly, it takes considerable planning and preparation to ensure that drinking water and food are free of potentially hazardous chemicals and other miscellaneous impurities.

References
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About the Author

Dr. Randi Fredricks, Ph.D. is a psychotherapist and author specializing in the treatment of mental health using integrative medicine and natural therapies. She works with individuals, couples, and families at her office in San Jose, California. Dr. Fredricks' publications include the landmark book Healing & Wholeness: Complementary and Alternative Therapies for Mental Health. No part of this article may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems. Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of Dr. Randi Fredricks as articles often present the published results of the research of other professionals. Copyright © 2012. To cite this article, please use the following citation: Fredricks, R. (2008). Healing & Wholeness: Complementary and Alternative Therapies for Mental Health. Bloomington, IN: Author House.