National Study Finds Range Of Pharmaceuticals In Fish Near US Sewage Treatment Plants

by Trevor Russell

A recent study shows that fish populations near wastewater treatment plants have high levels of pharmaceuticals, including medicines used to treat high cholesterol, allergies, high blood pressure, bipolar disorder and depression, researchers reported Wednesday.

The study, published online by the journal Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, tested fish for 24 different pharmaceuticals, as well as 12 chemicals found in personal care products at sites in five cities. It found trace concentrations of seven drugs and two soap scent chemicals in fish at all five of the urban river sites.

More information is available from the Star Tribune.

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