New York Times, March 13, 2002.

Researchers at the USGS have tested for 95 chemicals in 139 streams in 30 states. Eighty per cent of the streams contained at least one and up to 38 of the chemicals. Chemical testing was extremely sensitive testing in parts per bilion.

They found traces of dozens of drugs, disinfectants, hormones, chemicals excreted by smokers, and other contaminants. This includes compounds used in birth control and hormone-replacement therapy. Levels were similar to those that other studies had linked to damage to fish and other aquatic wildlife.

Chemicals found south of the Twin Cities include caffeine, ticlosan - the active ingredient in antimicrobial soaps, cholesterol and coprostanol - two steroids, the disinfectant phenol, tri(2-chloroethyl) phosphate - a flame retardant, bisphenol A - used in making plastics, and three antibiotics used in hog feed.

The concern with antibiotics is that bacteria develop a resistance and diminish the effectiveness of human drugs. Natural and synthetic estrogen in treated wastewater affets the sexual development of fish.

Sewage treatment plants use natural bacteria to treat wastewater. the process removes 95% of many pollutants but has no effect on some compounds.

Federal food and drug officials said the USGS study could lead to changes in the drug approval process. The agency could require more drugs to undergo tests for hazards they might pose once they leave the body.

-- John Littmann (johntl@mtn.oeg), March 17, 2002

Answers

The petrochemical industry - shaping our future, today!

-- Little Nipper (canis@minor.net), March 17, 2002.

The agency could require more drugs to undergo tests for hazards they might pose once they leave the body.

LOL !!! That's some punch line! And I thought they were gonna say that more research is needed into how to AVOID USING these substances. Oh well!

And how about tests for hazards that drugs might pose once they leave one body, and re-enter another body that they were never prescribed for ?

It's a laugh a minute.

-- Debbie (dbspence@pobox.com), March 17, 2002.

John:

Chemicals found south of the Twin Cities include ......... three antibiotics used in hog feed.

Just had a meal at a resturant in the Twin Cities [actually the left Twin]. It wasn't all that good. Now that I know what they eat, I understand.

Best Wishes,,,,

Z

-- Z1X4Y7 (Z1X4Y7@aol.com), March 17, 2002.