Environment

Tests of Philadelphia’s drinking water reveal 56 drugs

By JEFF DONN
AP National Writer

PHILADELPHIA (AP) _ A total of 56 pharmaceuticals or byproducts have been detected in this city’s drinking water, largely in tests conducted last year, according to the Philadelphia Water Department.

The list of drugs is the longest among 62 major water providers surveyed by the Associated Press.  However, this city’s water officials say they probably found more drugs simply because they did more testing.  They say their water is safe to drink.

Researchers found trace concentrations of drugs including antibiotics, pain relievers, heart and psychiatric drugs, and veterinary medicines.  Here’s the list of drugs and some of their uses:

• ANTIBIOTICS
  _Amoxicillin _ for pneumonia, stomach ulcers
  _Azithromycin _ for pneumonia, sexually transmitted diseases
  _Bacitracin _ prevents infection in cuts and burns
  _Chloramphenicol _ for serious infections when other antibiotics can’t be used
  _Ciprofloxacin _ for anthrax, other infections
  _Doxycycline _ for pneumonia, Lyme disease, acne
  _Erythromycin _ for pneumonia, whooping cough, Legionnaires’ disease
  _Lincomycin _ for strep, staph, other serious infections
  _Oxytetracycline _ for respiratory, urinary infections
  _Penicillin G _ for anthrax, other infections
  _Penicillin V _ for pneumonia, scarlet fever, infections of ear, skin, throat
  _Roxithromycin _ for respiratory, skin infections
  _Sulfadiazine _ for urinary infections, burns
  _Sulfamethizole _ for urinary infections
  _Sulfamethoxazole _ for traveler’s diarrhea, pneumonia, urinary and ear infections
  _Tetracycline _ for pneumonia, acne, stomach ulcers, Lyme disease
  _Trimethoprim _ for urinary and ear infections, traveler’s diarrhea, pneumonia
• PAIN RELIEVERS
  _Acetaminophen _ soothes arthritis, aches, colds; reduces fever
  _Antipyrine _ for ear infections
  _Aspirin _ for minor aches, pain; lowers risk of heart attack and stroke
  _Diclofenac _ for arthritis, menstrual cramps, other pain
  _Ibuprofen _ for arthritis, aches, menstrual cramps; reduces fever
  _Naproxen _ for arthritis, bursitis, tendinitis, aches; reduces fever
  _Prednisone _ for arthritis, allergic reactions, multiple sclerosis, some cancers
• HEART DRUGS
  _Atenolol _ for high blood pressure
  _Bezafibrate _ for cholesterol problems
  _Clofibric acid _ byproduct of various cholesterol medications
  _Diltiazem _ for high blood pressure, chest pain
  _Gemfibrozil _ regulates cholesterol
  _Simvastatin _ slows production of cholesterol
• MIND DRUGS
  _Carbamazepine _ for seizures, mood regulating
  _Diazepam _ for anxiety, seizures; eases alcohol withdrawal
  _Fluoxetine _ for depression; relieves premenstrual mood swings
  _Meprobamate _ for anxiety
  _Phenytoin _ controls epileptic seizures
  _Risperidone _ for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, severe behavior problems
• OTHER HUMAN DRUGS
  _Caffeine _ found in coffee; also used in pain relievers
  _Cotinine _ byproduct of nicotine; drug in tobacco, also used in products to help smokers quit
  _Iopromide _ given as contrast agent for medical imaging
  _Nicotine _ found in tobacco, also in medicinal products to help smokers quit
  _Paraxanthine _ a byproduct of caffeine
  _Theophylline _ for asthma, bronchitis and emphysema
• VETERINARY
  _Carbadox _ for control of dysentery, bacterial enteritis in pigs; promotes growth
  _Chlortetracycline _ for eye, joint, other animal ailments
  _Enrofloxacin _ for infections in farm animals and pets; treats wounds
  _Monensin _ for weight gain, prevention of severe diarrhea in farm animals
  _Narasin _ for severe diarrhea in farm animals
  _Oleandomycin _ for respiratory disease; promotes growth in farm animals
  _Salinomycin _ promotes growth in livestock
  _Sulfachloropyridazine _ for enteritis in farm animals
  _Sulfadimethoxine _ for severe diarrhea, fowl cholera, other conditions in farm animals
  _Sulfamerazine _ for a range of infections in cats, fowl
  _Sulfamethazine _ for bacterial diseases in farm animals; promotes growth
  _Sulfathiazole _ for diseases in aquarium fish
  _Tylosin _ promotes growth, treats infections in farm animals, including bees
  _Virginiamycin M1 _ prevents infection, promotes growth in farm animals

* This investigation was from 2008, it is most likely much worse now with the increase in the number of people dependent on pharmaceutical drugs.  This is a serious growing problem something everyone needs to be aware of if they care about their health.

AP Investigation: Drugs in Drinking Water