PLYMOUTH, N.H.-
Imagine a crystal clear stream bubbling through a New Hampshire forest in the springtime sun. A picture of purity? Not according to a recent, nationwide survey by the US Geological Survey, which found one or more compounds, including human and veterinary drugs, hormones, detergent metabolites, plasticizers, insecticides and fire retardants, in 80% of streams sampled. Josh Cline, executive director of the N.H. Rivers Council, will speak about this problem in the PSU Environmental Science Colloquium March 25, at 3:45 p.m. in Boyd Science Center.
In 2008, the Associated Press reported drugs in the drinking water supplies of 39 cities.
Research suggests that extremely diluted concentrations of pharmaceuticals can harm aquatic species, and that human cells exposed to trace amounts of certain drugs fail to grow normally.
15 million prescriptions are written annually in New Hampshire alone.
In cooperation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the New Hampshire Rivers Council is undertaking an outreach campaign to help get wildlife off drugs. The SMARxT program promotes solid waste disposal as a stepping stone to reducing pharmaceuticals entering the wastewater stream. The presentation takes place Wednesday,March 25, 3:45 p.m., in room 001 of the Boyd Science Center on Highland Str. in Plymouth. For more information, contact June Rowan Hammond or call 535-3218.
The Boyd Science Colloquium Lecture Series is a weekly opportunity for PSU faculty, staff, students and the general public to come together as a community to discuss issues of significance to science and society.
For more information about this release, contact Bruce Lyndes, PSU Media Relations Mgr., (603) 535-2775 or Bruce Lyndes
Overcast. Light Rain. Temperature: 40; Wind: W at 10; Conditions as of Sat May 25 at 08:00 PM EDT