The result of a USGS 2002 Reconnaissance Study that sampled 139 streams in the US showed 80 percent of the streams contained detectable amounts of pharmaceuticals. The study also proved that most of these wastes are residential in origin. It has always been a common practice to throw medications away by flushing them down the toilet. "Throwing away" has now become a relative term. Nothing is actually thrown away; it only goes elsewhere to be a burden.
Why Flushing the Medications is a Bad Idea
Unwanted medications (prescribed or over the counter) whether they are to be swallowed, inhaled, or applied, all have the same intention-- to be absorbed by the body and to effect some kind of change in the body. Medicines should never be flushed down the toilet or poured down the drain. Once they enter the sewage system they will eventually find their way back into the drinking water. The medications may still be biologically active and even in small concentrations they may still have some efficacy left. They could have a chronic additive effect if consumed regularly for a lengthy period of time and/or a synergistic effect by interacting with other medications, producing a new and unexpected effect. The article Pharmaceuticals in Drinking Water looks at the health effects of these medications once they are inadvertently recycled. The bottom line is that accumulation of the drugs can lead to harmful effects in women’s reproductive health.
Guidelines to Dispose of Unwanted Medications
Take back program: Some pharmacies will take back unused or expired pharmaceuticals as a community service. Controlled substances however can only be accepted under special conditions. Chemotherapy drugs should be returned to the clinic that prescribed them for proper disposal.
Local hazardous waste collection: Contact the local household hazardous waste collection center to see if they have a special collection for unused or expired drugs
To dispose medications in the trash: Keep the medications in their original container making sure to scratch out personal information leaving the medication details on the vial in case it is accidentally ingested. For pills, capsules and tablets add a small amount of water to the container to alter the medication to avoid misuse. Hide the identity of the container by sealing the container with duct tape. For liquid medications add cat litter, flour, salt or any other undesirable compound to discourage anyone from attempting to misuse it. Seal the container with an opaque tape like duct tape to prevent any leaks and to effectively disguise the container. For blister packed pills, wrap the pack in several layers of opaque tape. Make sure to double bag the medications before you put them in the trash.
 |
