Dubai
The medicines you throw away can come back to harm you.
According to the American Chemical Society’s journal ‘Environmental Science & Technology’, if thrown away or flushed down a toilet, antibiotics, hormones and other drugs can get into lakes, rivers and other water supplies, where they can affect humans and animals.
According to the Canadian Society of Intestinal Research website, antibiotics can enter the ecosystem through improper disposal. It promotes the resistance of bacteria and fungus, leading to increasing rates of infections that are difficult to treat.
In the past, most people flushed old medicines down the toilet in order to prevent the accidental poisoning of children and animals who could find it in the trash. But US-based Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) no longer recommends doing this.
Even at very low levels, medicines in the oceans, rivers and lakes can hurt aquatic life. Researchers have found that it produces negative changes in the reproductive function of fish, creates lethargic behavior and a decreased ability to compete.
Dr Fatin Samara, associate professor of environmental science at the American University of Sharjah said: “Several studies have shown that chemicals such as oestrogens and other chemicals found in pharmaceuticals have the potential to disrupt the endocrine system in organisms exposed to them. For example, the concept of intersex or feminisation of fish (male fish with female characteristics), has been seen in fish swimming in water with high levels of endocrine disruptors. Some medication is also associated with several forms of cancers and deformities in organisms. This is why is very important to properly dispose of medicines and to improve the treatment of water bodies.”
In 2008, an Associated Press investigation found that test results from the water supplies of 24 major metropolitan areas in the US had detectable levels of pharmaceuticals. These included antidepressants, antipsychotics, antibiotics, beta blockers, and tranquilisers.
Ways to reduce environmental impact
US-based Food and Drug Administration shares some guidelines on how to safely dispose medicines:
• Follow any specific disposal instructions on the label of the medication. Do not flush medicines down the sink or toilet unless the information specifically instructs you to do so.
• Take advantage of take-back programs initiated by the authorities.
• If no disposal instructions are given and there are no take-back programs, dispose drugs in the following steps:
Remove the tablets from its original container and mix it with an undesirable substance, such as used coffee grounds or cat litter. This makes it less appealing to children and pets. Place the mixture in a sealable bag, empty can or similar container to prevent the medicine from leaking or breaking out of a garbage bag.
