WATER?And what can

we do about it?And what can

we do about it?

What’s In OurWhat’s In Our

Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCPs)

WhatWhat’’s in our s in our WATERWATER

Our water comes from many sources. And the way we use it is just one part of a continuous cycle.

Water Cycle Diagram courtesy of ESA / AOES Medialab, www.esa.int

WhatWhat’’s in our s in our WATERWATER

Drugs and chemical residues from personal care products are showing up in waterways.

WhatWhat’’s in our s in our WATERWATER

Little is known about the effect these compounds may have on people who drink the water or the aquatic wildlife in the waterways.

WhatWhat’’s in our s in our WATERWATER

When people take medicine, some of it is absorbed, but most of the compounds pass through the body and are flushed down the toilet.

WhatWhat’’s in our s in our WATERWATER

Wastewater treatment plants don’t remove pharmaceuticals from the water that they treat and discharge into waterways.

WhatWhat’’s in our s in our WATERWATER

The potential for harm to human health is not known at this time. But, there is growing concern about how these drugs and other compounds may affect people over time and with repeated exposure through everyday water use.

WhatWhat’’s in our WATER s in our WATER And what can we do about itAnd what can we do about it

Don’t flush unused portions of prescriptions down the toilet.

WhatWhat’’s in our WATER s in our WATER And what can we do about itAnd what can we do about it

Some communities have pharmaceutical take-back programs.

Others have collection sites where the drugs can be destroyed.

WhatWhat’’s in our WATER s in our WATER And what can we do about itAnd what can we do about it

Make the drugs unpalatable by dumping them in with wet coffee grounds, glue or used kitty litter. Make them safe for disposal in the landfill by putting them into a leak-proof container, then throw them in the trash.

WhatWhat’’s in our WATER s in our WATER And what can we do about itAnd what can we do about it

When using or buying personal care products, we can make conscientious choices.

WhatWhat’’s in our WATER s in our WATER And what can we do about itAnd what can we do about it

Often we feel helpless to make a difference, but in this case, there are things each of us can do to help keep our water safe and clean for today and in the future.

Presented by:Presented by:

This presentation was made possible by Grant Number 90EF0066 from the Office of Community Services, Department of Health and Human Services.

Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Office of Community Services, Department of Health and Human Services.

Some images in this presentation © 2003-08 www.photos.com.

Rural Community Assistance

Partnership

Website: www.rcap.org

Phone: 888-321-7227

National Environmental Services Center

Website: www.nesc.wvu.edu

Phone: 800-624-8301