The Keep Unwanted Medications and Chemicals Out of the Great Lakes guide tells why you should take your unwanted drugs back to local collection sites on October 28.
BUFFALO, NY – On Saturday, October 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., collection sites across the US will accept unused, expired and unwanted pharmaceuticals from individuals. The Keep Unwanted Medications and Chemicals Out of the Great Lakes guide written by New York Sea Grant Coastal Education Specialist Helen Domske tells why people should find a site nearby to return the unwanted drugs.
Researchers are increasingly documenting the impact of the bioactive chemical substances found in pharmaceuticals and personal care products on the aquatic environment.
Based on what that research has shown, we do not want people flushing unwanted and unused medicines down the drain or toilet, Domske said.
The guide by Domske includes tips on how citizens can help reduce the impact of such substances as antibiotics, antidepressants, contraceptives, hormones, and vitamins on the Great Lakes resource that provides drinking water to 42 million people in the US and Canada, and serves as habitat for a host of aquatic life.
A two-year research project funded by New York Sea Grant is underway to examine the effectiveness of advanced water treatment options, environmental levels, and the potential effects of pharmaceuticals in New York waters.
That project will conclude in 2018.
To find a National Prescription Drug Take Back Day collection site, the website at www.nyseagrant.org/unwantedmeds has a link to the list of US Drug Enforcement Agency authorized sites.
New York Sea Grant maintains Great Lakes offices at SUNY Buffalo, Wayne County Cooperative Extension in Newark, and SUNY Oswego.
For updates on New York Sea Grant activities, the www.nyseagrant.org website has RSS, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube links.
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I certainly applaud any efforts to keep our waters clean of any chemicals and/or contaminates such as prescription drugs. My problem with this effort is that, most people now a days don’t use medicine cabinets for prescription drugs. Most take their scripts in the kitchen (morning meal, meal times, etc). If one is to discard these drugs, it’s probably in the kitchen garbage can. Maybe, we should take the time to make sure that run off from these sites isn’t occurring, as well, go after the treatment plants that should be making sure that this does not happen. Go after the cities that allow their plants to discharge waste! In Oswego, there are seven cancer causing contaminants in the drinking water (EWG). The federal Regulations are ridiculous, check out EWG’s website for your city. Just unimaginable that cities allow such contaminants.These drop offs give someone else access to them. People lurk and act as if they’re helping you…oh, I’ll take them in for you, to just handing them to officers who you know you can trust?