Water treatment plants were never designed to remove pharmaceuticals from water, so many drugs wind up down stream from the water plants, which then become part of our larger marine population.
Since most people just flush their unused or unneeded drugs down the toilet or in the garbage, in many cases, it then winds up in the ocean.
The EPA has issued guidelines for properly disposing of unwanted pharmaceuticals, and here are White House guidelines for the proper disposal of prescription drugs.
The FDA advises that the following drugs be flushed down the toilet instead of thrown in the trash:
- Actiq (fentanyl citrate)
- Avinza Capsules (morphine sulfate)
- Baraclude Tablets (entecavir)
- Daytrana Transdermal Patch (methylphenidate)
- Duragesic Transdermal System (fentanyl)
- Fentora (fentanyl buccal tablet)
- Meperidine HCl Tablets
- OxyContin Tablets (oxycodone)
- Percocet (Oxycodone and Acetaminophen)
- Reyataz Capsules (atazanavir sulfate)
With a mishap sure to recall horror stories of drunken ship captains around the world, the 77′ scallop boat Nanami ran aground on it’s latest voyage.
Heading south from New Jersey to Cherry Point, NC, the Nanami first became disabled off Cape Hatteras and was towed to port by two Coast Guard cutters.
Then, rough seas off SC broke it free of it’s anchor chain and it ran aground on Kiawah Island.
With 400 gallons of diesel fuel onboard, the Coast Guard is working hard to refloat it.
With luck like that, it may be time to call it a trip!
Updates
* Tuesday 11/18: Charleston Marine Services has successfully removed approximately 900 gallons of fuel, with approximately 250 gallons of fuel and oils remaining.
