Here is information we have sent to you previously, but this reminder is good to have.  The study did note that antidepressants were among those medications found in abundance polluting our rivers and streams.

One issue not addressed here that certainly should be is the possible synergistic effects of these medications on those already taking various medications.

Another issue not addressed is the potential danger to those who lack the P450 2D6 liver enzyme which makes them unable to metabolize serotonergic antidepressants and therefore, open to severe adverse reactions. We know that many murder/sucides have happened with only one or two doses for some people. Two recent cases to appear in court are:

#1 The Donald Schell case: Donald Schell took only two Paxil and shot his wife, daughter, baby granddaughter and himself. Last June the jury in Cheyenne, WY ruled that Paxil was the major cause of these tragic deaths that destroyed this family and they awarded the few surviving family members $6.4 Million in damages.

#2 The Laczong case in San Jose, CA. Raymond Laczong took Paxil for only 72 hours before drowning his two children and himself in the same bathtub. Mr. Laczong is of Asian decent and we know that Asians have serious problems in metabolising the SSRI antidepressants, leaving them wide open for adverse reactions. This warning has not been given to patients. The Laczong case was settled for an undisclosed amount by the makers of Paxil earlier this year.

So we see that very small amounts of these chemicals can have EXTREME adverse reactions on some people. With this in mind it is clear to see what a dangerous situation the potential of this unintentional medicating of the population.

This poses some very interesting questions. Does this mean that in every case of violent crime we will now need toxicology reports to make sure there are no SSRIs present even in those who have no prescription for one of these drugs?

Dr. Ann Blake Tracy, Executive Director,

International Coalition For Drug Awareness

(http:\\www.drugawareness.org) & author of Prozac: Panacea or Pandora? - Our Serotonin Nightmare (800-280-0730)

Medications May be Harming our Waters

WebMD Medical News

March 13, 2002 -- You may want to think twice before taking a sip from that pristine-looking mountain stream or sampling the local trout. A new, national survey of America's streams shows most contain a laundry list of contaminants ranging from detergent to prescription drugs and sex hormones.

In the first-ever nationwide study of pharmaceuticals, hormones, and other contaminants in our streams, researchers at the U.S. Geological Survey used new testing methods to measure the levels of these contaminants in 139 streams in 30 states from 1999-2000.

What they found in America's streams is like a snapshot of our national medicine cabinet: aspirin, Tylenol, prescription medicines for heart problems and high blood pressure, and female sex hormones used in hormone replacement therapy and birth control pills.

In addition to medications, the most commonly found compounds included caffeine, cotinine (a product created by the breakdown of nicotine), the insect repellant DEET, triclosan (the active ingredient in antibacterial soaps and detergents), a flame retardant, and steroids that indicate fecal matter contamination.

Although the concentrations of most compounds were low -- usually less than one part per billion -- prior studies have suggested that exposure to levels even lower than those found in this study can have harmful effects on fish and other aquatic species. The effects on humans, if any, have not yet been determined.

Researchers screened for a group of 95 organic wastewater contaminants and found 82 of them in at least one stream. More than a third of the streams sampled contained 10 or more contaminants, and one stream alone contained 38 different chemicals.

Since this was the first study to screen for pharmaceuticals, the authors say their findings may be slightly skewed because they targeted streams most likely to show some contamination, such as those downstream from wastewater treatment plants or agricultural areas.

Researchers say the survey shows low-level concentrations of these contaminants survive wastewater treatment, and more research is needed to find out how they affect humans, plants, and animals.

Medically Reviewed

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