Stewardship Tip Oct 20th, 2009- PPCPs
Many waterways in the U.S.have tested positive for traces of common medications such as acetaminophen, hormones, blood pressure medicine, codeine, and antibiotics. These fall under a class of chemicals the the EPA refers to as pharmaceuticals and personal care products or PPCPs. There is a growing body of research dedicated to understanding the affect that PPCPs have on the environment. While scientists continue to to piece together the total picture, we do know that keeping PPCPs out of the environment can help alleviate matters.
Here are four tips to help reduce PPCP pollution.
- Dispose of unused or expired medications at take-back sites.
- Do not discard any medication in the toilet or the trash.
- Purchase drugs in small amounts, purchase only what you will use.
- Ask your physician or pharmacist for medications with low environmental impact.
The active components of pharmaceuticals do not always become inert nor are they always completely absorbed; our bodies excrete them. This places them directly in our wastewater. We can help mitigate the need for medication by cultivating a healthy lifestyle. This may reduce your need for medications. If you do need a prescription, ask your physician for medications that will become inert or will be fully absorbed..
Why it is important to the fish: Most wastewater treatment plants do not remove unmetabolized pharmaceutical compounds from municipal sewage. Moreover, even at low concentrations, some compounds, such as hormones, are able to operate potently. The USGS has documented the problems associated with endocrine disruption; many researchers believe that there this is linked, in part, to hormones from PPCP pollution.
Help keep PPCPs out of our water! Dispose of them at take-back sites. Buy, and use, only the amount that you need. And, cultivate a healthy lifestyle so that you can reduce your need for medication.
We probably don’t need to remind you that fishing is one of the healthiest activities in which you can participate.
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This week’s sponsor-partner:TTI Blakemore Fishing Group
John W. Campbell noted that a bent paperclip rotated towards pressure. It was these bent paperclips that led to the invention of the Tru-Turn hook.
That was over 50 years ago. Today, the TTI-Blakemore Fishing Group is celebrating their 50th Anniversary by giving away free Tru-Turn hooks. Visit their website for details!
In addition to their partnership to sponsor this week’s Stewardship Tip, we would like to thank them for sponsoring the Recycled Fish 24 Hour Fish a Thon.
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