IN OUR WATERS
A Miami Conservancy District study found low concentrations of 17 emerging organic wastewater contaminants, most pharmaceuticals and personal care products. The samples were taken in the Miami River basin in 2010 and 2011 at wastewater treatment plants, from streams and rivers, monitoring and municipal production wells. According to the analysis, the concentrations found in groundwater from which area drinking water is derived do not pose a significant health risks. Acetaminophen: the active ingredient in pain medications such as Tylenol Atenolol: a drug used to control high blood pressure Bisphenol A (BPA): a compound used primarily to make plastics Butalbital: is in a group of drugs called barbiturates and often combined withacetaminophen to treat tension headaches Caffeine: found in a variety of commonly consumed beverages such as coffee, tea, and colas Carbamazepine: a mood stabilizing drug used primarily in the treatment of epilepsy Cotinine: is a byproduct of nicotin Diazepam (Valium): a drug commonly used for treating anxiety, insomnia, seizures, muscle spasms, etc. Fluoxetine (Prozac): used to treat depression and obsessive-compulsive disorders Gemfibrozil: a drug used to lower lipid levels and aids in the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats Ibuprofen: an anti-inflammatory drug sold under various tradenames such as Advil and Motrin Iopromide: a contrast agent used in radiographic studies such as intravenous urograms and CT brain scans Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS): was the key ingredient in Scotchgard and has been used in fire-fighting foams Sulfamethoxazole: an antibiotic commonly used to treat urinary tract infections Testosterone: the principal male sex hormone and is an anabolic steroid Triclosan: antibacterial/antifungal agent used in soaps, deodorants, toothpastes, etc. Trimethoprim: an antibiotic used in the treatment of urinary tract infections