EPA Continues Work to Understand Potential Impacts of Pharmaceuticals in Water 

EPA is seeking comment on an Information Collection Request (ICR) that will be used in a detailed study of unused pharmaceutical disposal methods by hospitals, long-term care facilities, hospices and veterinary hospitals.

EPA has developed a new approach to investigating pharmaceuticals and personal care products ( PPCPs) in water aimed at strengthening scientific knowledge, improving public understanding, and building partnerships for stewardship. 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. Their approach includes:

• Soliciting more information on the practices of the health care industry to inform future potential regulatory actions and identify best management and proper disposal practices. 
• 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. 
• Expanding a recent fish tissue pilot study to sample nationally to determine whether residues from PPCPs may be present in fish and waterways.
• Developing a methodology to establish water quality criteria to protect aquatic life.
• Conducting studies to examine the potential occurrence of PPCPs in sewage sludge and wastewater. 
• Participating in an international effort with the World Health Organization to study appropriate risk assessment methods for pharmaceuticals as environmental contaminants.

http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/ppcp/