Transcript Pharma in Water.pptx

Sarah Mahon, PE
MANE 6960H01
Fall 2013
Entry Methods
 Unmetabolized medications
 Flushing
 Direct release (swimming / bathing)
 Drug labs / illicit drug use
 Agricultural fields – groundwater infiltration / surface
water runoff
 Controlled Substances Act
Detections in Drinking Water
 Philly – 56 pharma detected
 NJ – angina medicine and mood stabilizers
 Southern CA – anti-epileptic and anti-anxiety meds
 San Francisco – sex hormones
 Nebraska – steroids downstream of feedlots
Effects
 Feminization of fish due to estrogen (male to female
fish ratio)
 Decimated southeast Asia vulture population
 Anti-biotic resistant pathogens
 Unknown human effects
 Dangerous combinations?
 People with allergies?
 Elderly / sick?
 Fetal Exposure?
Treatment
 POTWs not designed to treat
 Conventional treatment reduces some, but not all,
concentrations
 Pharma removed from wastewater may end up in
sludge (which, if used as fertilizer, can still end up in
environment)
Conclusions
 Public education
 Monitoring of water supplies
 Partner with health care facilities, treatment care
facilities, agribusinesses, etc.
 Evaluate need for treatment at POTWs
 Regulations