The drinking water of 40 million Americans is contaminated with pharmaceuticals, according to Silent Spring.
Researchers at the Silent Spring Institute in Newton have helped to pioneer water testing down to parts per trillion levels, not to show off but to measure trace chemicals, pharmaceuticals, flame retardants, caffeine, house cleaners and such that have infiltrated the drinking water on Cape Cod.
“The drinking water of 40 million Americans is contaminated with pharmaceuticals,” Schaider said.
“Contaminates of emerging concern are widely detected.
These trace chemicals are not removed by title 5 septic systems.
One thing Silent Spring has found is that septic systems are the No.
In some more developed areas hormones approach levels associated with harmful effects in fish.” That’s not surprising considering the Cape’s elderly population and their use of medicines.
“Shallow wells were also more contaminated.
Schaider said EPA guidelines for PFAs are 70 parts per trillion in water.
“With pharmaceuticals you’d have to drink an incredible amount of water to get the equivalent of taking medicine but there could be effects below a therapeutic dose and there are concerns about side effects for people at vulnerable stages.” Silent Spring is working with the University of Rhode Island on PFAs, and with the center for Coastal Studies on PFAs in estuaries.