NOW THE DRUGS ARE IN OUR WATER

NOW THE DRUGS ARE IN OUR WATER!
By Steve Hayes, Director

WATER

We all know that water is essential to our life. Here are some facts about water:

· Someone without water will die in an average of three to four days;

· 70% of the earth's surface is water;

· 97.5% of the Earth's water is salt water;

· 2/3 of the remaining 2.5% is in glaciers;

· .8% of the Earth's water is available for consumption;

· Depending on our age, 55% to 70% of our body weight is water;

· 85% of the brain is water.

HYDRATION

People with enough water in their body are said to be hydrated and those without enough water are said to be dehydrated. In previous newsletters, we have discussed how most people who come to Novus are dehydrated and how ensuring that they are hydrated greatly helps their detox. Hydration is one of the keys to good health. Dehydrated people are just not as healthy and develop many more physical problems.

POLLUTED WATER SUPPLIES

While most of us are aware of efforts to ensure that our water supplies are kept free from contamination, there is a new source of water pollution of which most of us were unaware.

In a recent news story, the Associated Press ("AP") has stated that, "A vast array of pharmaceuticals -- including antibiotics, anti-convulsants, mood stabilizers and sex hormones -- have been found in the drinking water supplies of at least 41 million Americans."

It is possible that traces of these pharmaceuticals are actually in most of our water supplies across the country. It is also speculated that most bottled waters and water filtration systems do not remove all of the drugs.

HOW DRUGS GET IN THE WATER

Most of the prescription drugs and other pharmaceuticals get into our water supplies because of our metabolism and DNA. When we take these drugs they are metabolized in the liver and then, depending on our DNA, are either sent to other parts of the body or some or all of these pharmaceuticals are discharged through our kidneys as urine which is flushed down the toilet as wastewater. Most of the time, the wastewater is treated and then discharged back into reservoirs where it enters our drinking water supply. Of course, most of the drugs in the wastewater are not filtered out and this is the primary way that drugs get into our drinking water.

The second way that these pharmaceuticals get into our water supplies is when unused drugs are flushed down the toilet.

The third way is when we toss prescription drugs into the garbage which is taken to landfills. Over time, the prescription drugs will seep into the ground and get into the water supply.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN

We must realize that the pharmaceuticals found in our water supply are often toxic. At this time, there are only small amounts of the pharmaceuticals in the water, but it is getting worse. The estimated 10 million prescription drugs taken daily by the American public are adding to the pollutants in our water supply and, at this rate, the problems are only going to escalate.

What does this mean to each of us? For many of us, our metabolism and DNA will not cause us to be affected by the pharmaceuticals-at least in the amounts now in the water supply. However, the DNA in some others will store these toxic materials in parts of their bodies and this will lead to serious problems--maybe not now but in the future.

There has been some research which indicated that small amounts of the drugs have affected cells adversely. There is also evidence that polluted waterways are adversely affecting wildlife and the addition of these drugs will certainly not help.

The idea of these dangerous drugs going into our systems through the water we drink is disturbing. The metropolitan water districts where the pharmaceuticals have been found insist that there is no danger. What else could they say?

But what do you think about the increasing health threats due to the daily increasing concentrations of these toxic drugs seeping into our water? What can we do to prevent it?

PROPER DISPOSAL OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

Luckily, there ARE actions that we can take to help prevent this situation from continuing to occur. Rather than flush the unwanted prescription drugs down the toilet or toss them in the garbage, here are some recommended ways to dispose of the dangerous drugs. You not only want to reduce damage to the environment and our drinking water, but also want to ensure that the prescription drugs do not get in the hands of others--like children. It is recommended that you:

· Take the pharmaceuticals out of their original containers;

· Crush the capsules or tablets;

· Mix the crushed tablets and any liquid pharmaceuticals with an undesirable substance, like used coffee grounds, used cooking oil, grease or kitty litter;

· Pour the resulting mixture in containers, such as empty cans or sealable bags;

· Throw these containers in the trash.

If pharmacies in your state have a drug disposal service, you can also return unused pharmaceuticals to these pharmacies. Alternatively, you can consult the local hazardous waste disposal facilities in your area and see if they will accept the destroyed pharmaceuticals for disposal. This will keep them out of landfills and our water supplies.

CONCLUSION

The fact that the pharmaceuticals are polluting our water supply is just another reason why people need to insist on treatment for the cause of problems and not just the symptoms.