Medications Disposal
VIEW OUR 4-MIN. VIDEO ON SAFE DISPOSAL OF MEDICATIONS
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MEDICATIONS DISPOSAL GUIDELINES:
- Clear out old meds for safety sake: "Medicine Chest
Confusion" can result when leftover or expired pharmaceuticals are
stored, sometimes leading to dangerous mix-ups. Or they can get into
the wrong hands: medications are a major source of poisoning in young
children.
- Don't put meds down the toilet or sink! Whether you are on
a septic system or municipal water, traces of flushed
chemicals can reach the environment. Research shows that
neither system removes them completely.
- Ask your pharmacist to take them back: Some
pharmacies return leftover and expired medications to the manufacturer
for proper disposal.
- Wrap and Trash: Wrap
medication containers in duct tape, followed by several layers of
plastic bags, to prevent crushing in the trash truck and contents
spilling out. Many people are reluctant to send meds to the
landfill for fear they will someday reach the aquifer. But modern
landfills are lined, and the leachate is collected and sent to a wastewater
treatment plant to remove the harmful compounds.
RELATED LINKS:
POISON CONTROL 1-800-222-1222
City of Ann Arbor Report on the occurence of endocrine disruptors
and pharmaceuticals in the Huron River, the City's drinking water, and its
wastewater.
Factsheet on Lindane pollution,
funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
EPA consumer
factsheet on Lindane in drinking water
Articles:
Of lice
and libel
Ann Arbor enviro group sued by drugmaker
Metro Times
August 23, 2006
Flushed meds could spur a fishy situation
Scientists concerned that discarded chemicals may affect aquatic
life
San Mateo County Times
April 20, 2006
Improper
Drug Disposal May Harm Fish
The Washington Post
September 19, 2005
Frogs, fish and pharmaceuticals a troubling brew
Prozac, other drugs detected in streams and their inhabitants
CNN
November 14, 2003




