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Drugs in the Water

 

As a nation, we are taking more prescription medications than ever before. In order to be environmentally responsible, these medications need to be disposed of properly. However, trace amounts can enter water supplies through normal human elimination.

 

Ciclosporin

 

Given to transplant patients in order to prevent their bodies from rejecting a new organ, this drug has been found in the water supplies of several major cities. When given to a patient, one of the main side effects listed is cancer. This has raised significant concern regarding ciclosporin in drinking water. If your city does not test for this drug, you can order an independent test.

 

Premarin

 

Premarin is a topical estrogen cream or gel. When it is disposed of improperly, it can easily enter a public water supply. Since Premarin is a very concentrated form of estrogen, a female reproductive hormone, many people are concerned about its presence in drinking water. There is still much testing to be done, although experts fear that drinking estrogen, even in small amounts, may have negative health effects on men and especially young boys who are still growing and maturing. There is also concern regarding the effects this drug may have on developing babies in the fetal stage, and cancer may be another risk. Premarin falls under the category of 'conjugated estrogens' on most water contaminant lists, and is tested for in most major cities.

 

Carbamazepine

 

Carbamazepine has a variety of pharmaceutical uses. While it is technically known as an anti-convulsant and a mood stabilizer, it's often used to treat conditions such as ADHD, schizophrenia, PTSD and borderline personality disorder, among many others. Like all drugs, when used correctly, carbamazepine can bring great relief. However, like all drugs, it must be disposed of properly and can potentially enter a public water supply through human waste.  The side effects of taking carbamazepine under a doctor's supervision include the possibility of upset stomach, headache and drowsiness. While these are hardly life-threatening, many worry about the potential consequences of these effects if the drug is unknowingly ingested. It's important to remember that drinking enough contaminated water to experience these effects would be nearly impossible; experts are more worried about the long-term risks of low-level exposure. The most worrisome of these risks is the autoimmune disease lupus. Patients taking carbamazepine have an 80% higher risk of developing lupus than those not taking the drug, and so experts worry that drinking even a heavily diluted dose may increase risk as well. What can be done about?

We can pay a dollar and change for plastic bottles of water and still not really know what we're buying. We can take matters into our own hands and have a filtration system to filter the water that comes into our homes. Beyond the known health benefits,a home water filtration system can add value to the home and give parents the peace of mind they are doing their best to protect their families from the harmful effects of polluted water.