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The EPA on Wednesday announced it is seeking comment on an information
collection request that will be used in a study of unused pharmaceutical
disposal methods by hospitals, long-term care facilities, hospices and
veterinary hospitals. The agency said it is seeking more information on the
practices of the health care industry to inform future potential regulatory
actions, and identify best management and proper disposal practices. This is
one of several actions, according to an EPA release, that the agency is taking
to strengthen its understanding of disposal practices and potential risks from
pharmaceuticals in water.
"The agency's work to increase industry stewardship and scientific understanding of pharmaceuticals in water continues," said Benjamin H. Grumbles, EPA assistant administrator for water. "By reaching out to the National Academy of Sciences and requesting information from the health care industry, EPA is taking important steps to enhance its efforts."
The agency is also commissioning the National Academy of Sciences to provide scientific advice on the potential risk to human health from low levels of pharmaceutical residues in drinking water. The National Academy of Sciences will convene a workshop of scientific experts Dec. 11-12, to advise the agency on methods for screening and prioritizing pharmaceuticals to determine potential risk.
Other actions the agency is taking include: expanding a recent fish tissue pilot study to sample nationally to determine whether residues from pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) may be present in fish and waterways; developing a methodology to establish water quality criteria to protect aquatic life; and conducting studies to examine the potential occurrence of PPCPs in sewage sludge and wastewater. To facilitate these efforts, the agency has developed state-of-the-art analytical methods capable of detecting various pharmaceuticals, steroids and hormones at very low levels.
The EPA also is participating in an international effort with the World Health Organization to study appropriate risk assessment methods for pharmaceuticals as environmental contaminants.
The research on pharmaceuticals in water is in response to a news report by the Associate Press last spring, which warned American readers that trace levels of pharmaceuticals may be polluting their drinking water. While no dangerous levels have yet to be found, the EPA said it takes the possibility seriously. Little is currently known about the levels of certain drugs in drinking water, or their effects, if any.
The EPA will accept public comments on the Health Care Industry ICR for 90 days after it is published in the Federal Register.
"The agency's work to increase industry stewardship and scientific understanding of pharmaceuticals in water continues," said Benjamin H. Grumbles, EPA assistant administrator for water. "By reaching out to the National Academy of Sciences and requesting information from the health care industry, EPA is taking important steps to enhance its efforts."
The agency is also commissioning the National Academy of Sciences to provide scientific advice on the potential risk to human health from low levels of pharmaceutical residues in drinking water. The National Academy of Sciences will convene a workshop of scientific experts Dec. 11-12, to advise the agency on methods for screening and prioritizing pharmaceuticals to determine potential risk.
Other actions the agency is taking include: expanding a recent fish tissue pilot study to sample nationally to determine whether residues from pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) may be present in fish and waterways; developing a methodology to establish water quality criteria to protect aquatic life; and conducting studies to examine the potential occurrence of PPCPs in sewage sludge and wastewater. To facilitate these efforts, the agency has developed state-of-the-art analytical methods capable of detecting various pharmaceuticals, steroids and hormones at very low levels.
The EPA also is participating in an international effort with the World Health Organization to study appropriate risk assessment methods for pharmaceuticals as environmental contaminants.
The research on pharmaceuticals in water is in response to a news report by the Associate Press last spring, which warned American readers that trace levels of pharmaceuticals may be polluting their drinking water. While no dangerous levels have yet to be found, the EPA said it takes the possibility seriously. Little is currently known about the levels of certain drugs in drinking water, or their effects, if any.
The EPA will accept public comments on the Health Care Industry ICR for 90 days after it is published in the Federal Register.
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