New research has found low levels of various medicines — antibiotics, antihistamines, and pain relievers — as well as carcinogenic chemicals and mercury in oysters that grow in two Oregon bays.
The findings do not suggest any immediate risk to human health, but one study author said more analysis is needed to determine the extent to which such contaminants might affect the oyster population and, by extension, a need for better wastewater treatment.
“If you’re allergic to one of these medicines, we’re not sure how many oysters you would have to eat to have a reaction,” said Elise Granek, an associate professor of environmental science and management at Portland State University, who is one of the coauthors of the study, which was recently published in the journal Science of the Total Environment.
About the Author Reprints
I must confess the lack of certain backstorys here “left me shell shocked.” Sadly Virginia, things do disappear on the Internet…. http://pharmalot.com/2011/09/the-witches-brew-of-drugs-in-the-water-supply/
But you can still find their traces. http://www.cchrflorida.org/benzodiazepine-cause-anti-social-behavior-in-fish/
Pharmaceuticals in water streams is a very serious issue and no one wants to take responsibility of clean up as the effort will cut in profits. Linked 2007 article suggests that there are age old issues. http://www.dev.pharmpro.com.690elmp01.blackmesh.com/article/2007/11/pharmaceuticals-their-manufacturing-methods-ecotoxicology-and-human-life. Yes companies can meet effluent standards but since the toxicity of these chemical on water, soil and human life has not been throughly studied red flags have not gone up.
Pharmaceuticals are toxins that kill the disease bacteria. That is why parts per million dose is there. [one milligram is one part per million]. Pharma companies know that they have an untamable gorilla in their backyard and even if they wanted to do something about it cannot do it as the costs are huge.
Best way has been to comply with EPA water effluent standards and keep tighter regulations away by our legalized corrupt system (lobbying).
Finding chemicals in aquatic life is news but till someone says stop, life will go on. If the toxins kill folks, it no big deal as no one will ever know.
There is an opportunity and that comes thorough improved chemical processes so that the load on effluent systems is reduced. No one has time to look at these mundane things as effort is needed and regulations come in the way.
Sorry for raising these points but unless and effort is made we will be leaving a bad legacy for our grandkids.
My apologies, I should have been more sensitive to effects on aquatic life, as demonstrated by this poor creature:
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=image+blinky&view=detailv2&&id=30F1D5D1179D0BB65499256FCA4E39F213247896&selectedIndex=0&ccid=KVSlrzbx&simid=608044808918010233&thid=OIP.M2954a5af36f175af364de03a1c5d506aH0&ajaxhist=0
There is absolutely no incentive to self regulate since it will ultimate fall under the purview of the EPA which I’d holding hearing but hasn’t even invited pharma to the table. Just read your Federal Register.
https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2014-10-20/html/2014-24582.htm
What’s a few extra aromatic hydrocarbons when I can get that needed Vitamin E boost from a couple dozen raw. I even make my own oyster sauce, a tangy blend of Tabasco sauce, lemon juice, white horseradish and ketchup learned from an old shucker in New Orleans
Bon Appetit!
@pharmavet – I just noticed you comments on this site. All I can say is ‘oii’ ….. or perhaps not.
Regarding the story of finding medications and heavy metals in Oregon oysters, what about other sites. In particular I occasionally eat those small tins of baby oysters that are found in the canned fish area of any grocery. These are invariably farm raised oysters from China. Have any researchers or the DEA studies these canned filter feeders for similar contaminants leaching off the Asian continent?